World · Europe · 2 hrs ago
Storm surge warning issued for Germany’s Baltic Sea coast
Germany’s Baltic Sea coast faces a storm surge from Saturday evening into Sunday as strong winds push water toward shore.
The Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency expects levels of up to 1.2 metres above normal in Schleswig and Kiel Bay, and up to 1.3 metres in Lübeck Bay.
Forecasts for Flensburg differ: the German agency expects 1.08 metres around Sunday midday, while Danish authorities forecast up to 1.64 metres early Sunday.
At that higher level, water could spill over the harbour edge, and roads near the harbour may be closed.
Flensburg is handing out free sandbags to residents who may be affected; they can collect them at the Exe between noon and 5 p.m.
A separate forecast put levels in Kiel and Lübeck bays as high as 1.4 metres, with the peak expected around 9 a.m.
Sunday.
Officials are updating forecasts, so the expected levels and local impacts may change.
Germany’s Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency issued a storm surge warning for the Baltic Sea coast.
Water levels could rise above normal, with forecasts varying by location and model.
The agency forecast up to 1.30 metres in Lübeck Bay and up to 1.20 metres in Schleswig and Kiel Bay.
Danish authorities forecast up to 1.64 metres in Flensburg on Sunday morning, while the German agency forecast a lower peak there.
Flensburg is making sandbags available to residents in affected areas.
- Who
- Germany’s Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency issued the warning; residents along the Baltic coast may be affected.
- What
- A storm surge warning was issued, with elevated water levels forecast along the coast.
- When
- From Saturday evening through Sunday, October 18, 2026.
- Where
- Germany’s Baltic Sea coast, including Flensburg, Schleswig, Kiel Bay and Lübeck Bay.
- Why
- Strong winds over the central and southern Baltic Sea, associated with a high-pressure area over the British Isles, are expected to push water toward the coast.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency issued a storm surge warning for the Baltic coast.
Elevated water levels were expected to begin along parts of the coast.
Forecast peak water levels were expected in locations including Flensburg and the Lübeck and Kiel bays.
- Flensburg forecast
- Up to 1.64 metres above normal, according to Danish authorities
- Lübeck Bay forecast
- Up to 1.30 metres above normal, according to NDR.de
- Schleswig and Kiel Bay forecast
- Up to 1.20 metres above normal, according to NDR.de
- Lübeck and Kiel bays forecast
- Up to 1.40 metres above normal, according to HL-live.de
- Flensburg sandbags
- Available free from 12:00 to 17:00 at the Exe