German Baltic coast hit by storm surge flooding

Cars were submerged as Storm Axel hit the Baltic coast

A storm surge has caused the worst flooding on Germany's north-east coast since 2006, leaving streets and cars submerged and causing major damage.

Towns and cities along the Baltic coast were flooded, from Kiel in the far north to the resort island of Usedom near the Polish border.

The harbour at Stralsund was among areas of the Baltic coast worst hit by the floods

Sea levels were recorded in the port of Wismar at 1.83m (6ft) above normal overnight. But officials said they expected water levels to fall in the coming hours.

The port of Wismar saw sea levels far higher than normal

Some of the worst flooding was in the historic centre of Rostock and in Stralsund, as well as on Usedom, where major damage was reported. Outdoor staircases were washed away and snack bars badly affected.

"This is no children's tea party," said one local official.