- Hamburg's seafood market experiences partial inundation due to storm tidal wave
An uncommon summer storm surge inundated certain parts of the seafood market in Hamburg during the night, with the water surpassing the docks and even brushing against a few stationary vehicles, as captured by a dpa photographer. The waters also reached the shore in front of the Strandperle in Övelgönne, but no losses were reported. Previously, the Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency (BSH) had issued a warning about a storm surge in the Weser and Elbe regions, along with the east and north Frisian coasts. The alert remained in effect until Friday evening at 20:07.
As per BSH predictions, the east Frisian coast, the Weser and Elbe regions could witness an afternoon or evening tidal surge of 1 to 1.5 meters more than the typical high tide during that time. For the north Frisian coast and the Hamburg Elbe region, the BSH had forecasted a tidal surge of 1.5 to 2 meters above the typical high tide.
The Hamburg police situation center communicated via the Katwarn warning system that a tidal surge of 1.25 to 1.75 meters more than the average high tide was anticipated at the St. Pauli gauge. When the Elbe water reached 1.5 meters, it would cascade over the docks onto the seafood market. The police advised individuals to evacuate low-lying regions, particularly in the harbor, Hafencity, and areas close to the Elbe, and to relocate their parked vehicles from such areas.
The BSH's warning encompassed potential tidal surges of 'other' significant heights in various coastal regions. Despite the warnings, some parts of the seafood market in Hamburg were 'of a width' that allowed the surging water to enter.
