UPDATE: PM Tusk convenes urgent meeting over severe winter conditions in Poland
In response, local authorities issued a flood warning for several municipalities along the Vistula Lagoon, including Nowy Dwór Gdański, Stegna, Szczutowo, and Krynica Morska.
Alarm levels have also been surpassed at the ports of Hel and Władysławowo, as well as in Gdańsk’s Northern Port and on Sobieszewo Island.
The Elbląg city hall is currently hosting a session of the Regional Crisis Management Team.
Fifty metres of flood barriers have already been deployed along the local river, and residents have been urged to stay cautious and avoid approaching the riverbank.
Photo: PAP/Andrzej Jackowski
Authorities have also prepared sandbags. Water levels in the river now exceed six metres, with the surge attributed to a backflow pushing water from the Vistula Lagoon into the Elbląg River.
Photo: PAP/Andrzej Jackowski
Elbląg Mayor Michał Missan confirmed that on Tuesday, 30 December, at 6:30 a.m., the water level of the Elbląg River surpassed the alarm threshold, currently measuring 611 cm.
Due to adverse forecasts caused by a backwater effect, local authorities have urged residents to remain vigilant and follow further updates.
In a subsequent statement, officials announced that, following the river surpassing the alarm level, Elbląg’s mayor declared a citywide flood alert at 8 a.m., effective until further notice.
Firefighters have issued a level-three flood warning for parts of Elbląg County in northern Poland.
Heavy snowfall, strong winds, and blizzard conditions are also forecasted.
The government’s emergency center has issued a nationwide alert covering northern and north-eastern Poland due to forecasts of heavy snow, blizzards, strong winds, hazardous road conditions, and potential power outages.
The warnings, effective 30–31 December 2025, advise residents in the affected areas to stay updated with official announcements.
Meteorologists from Poland’s Institute of Meteorology and Water Management (IMGW) have also issued level-three hydrological alerts for rising waters exceeding alarm levels along the entire Polish Baltic Sea coast.
Pedestrians and drivers are also advised to watch out for icy conditions on local roads in parts of Poland.
Below is a simulation of the forecasted snowfall and rainfall based on a model developed by Polish meteorologists.
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Source: Polish Radio English Section/IAR/IMGW/RCB
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