North Sea storm surge brings German ferry services to a halt

A storm surge in the North Sea disrupted ferry services to Germany's North Frisian Islands early on Monday.

In Dagebüll, close to the Danish border, the ferry pier was flooded after water rose a good 2 metres above the normal high tide level, according to data from the Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency (BSH).

In the North Sea, a storm surge occurs when the tide rises at least 1.5 metres above the normal high tide level. However, major damage is usually only expected at much higher water levels.

The Wyker Dampfschiffs-Reederei ferry company cancelled services to the North Frisian Islands, including Amrum and Föhr.

Neue Pellwormer Dampfschiffahrts also cancelled the first two morning services between Nordstrand and Pellworm and intended to resume services in the morning.

According to the BSH, the water level in the northern city of Hamburg was expected to be slightly above the storm surge mark early on Monday.