Storm 'Joshua' Hits Northern Germany with Severe Flooding and Disruptions
Storm 'Joshua' causes severe flooding, strong winds, and transport disruptions in northern Germany, with emergency services responding to damage and flood warnings.
- • Storm 'Joshua' caused severe storm floods in northern Germany, notably in Wilhelmshaven and Hamburg.
- • Water levels reached 1.50 meters above average high tide in Hamburg, triggering a storm surge warning.
- • Wind speeds up to 130 km/h were recorded in Schleswig-Holstein, causing fallen trees and travel disruptions.
- • No serious injuries reported from storm-related accidents, except for a car crash in Flensburg with five injured.
- • Emergency services urged public to secure outdoor items and limit travel in wooded areas amid ongoing severe weather warnings.
Key details
Storm 'Joshua' has swept across northern Germany on October 24, 2025, causing widespread disruption due to severe winds and storm surges. The North Sea's water levels exceeded normal heights, notably in Wilhelmshaven, where promenades and parking areas were flooded due to the overflowing sea. In Hamburg, water levels rose to 1.50 meters above the average high tide at St. Pauli, marking the official start of a storm surge, with warnings that flood waters could inundate the Fischmarkt earlier than expected. The Bundesamt für Seeschifffahrt und Hydrographie (BSH) cautioned that water levels may rise faster than forecasted, with a severe storm surge defined as 2.5 meters above average high tide and a very severe surge beginning at 3.5 meters.
Wind speeds reached up to 130 kilometers per hour in Schleswig-Holstein, particularly impacting Dithmarschen and Nordfriesland, resulting in fallen trees that disrupted train services. Elsewhere in northern states, incidents included a fallen tree on the A28 highway in Niedersachsen, damage to parked cars in Düsseldorf, and a tree falling on railway tracks in Saarland, though no injuries were reported in connection with these events. In Flensburg, however, a traffic accident caused injuries to five people, including two in serious condition.
Emergency services remained active as residents were advised to secure loose items outdoors and reduce travel in forested areas. The German Weather Service (DWD) continued to warn of ongoing strong gusts and heavy rainfall, especially near coastal regions. Despite the intense storm in the north, weather conditions in western Bavaria were improving, with temperatures between 7 and 12 degrees Celsius and some frost expected overnight.
In Schleswig-Holstein, authorities are also addressing a separate environmental concern, investigating a 10,000 square meter oil-like film polluting Kieler Förde waters, which is hindering clean-up efforts due to natural degradation. Traffic on the A7 highway will face lane restrictions for repairs stemming from asphalt damage. Additionally, a house fire in Eggebek destroyed a home but resulted in no casualties.
The storm's impact led Aida, a cruise ship operator, to return a vessel to Hamburg a day early to avoid navigating the Elbe River during potential closures caused by the weather.
Overall, Joshua has challenged northern Germany with severe conditions requiring coordinated emergency response and ongoing monitoring to ensure public safety and minimize damage.