Rainy Season & Flood Risk Preparedness

Dated: 1st September 2026

Dear Valued Client,

In anticipation of the upcoming rainy season and the possibility of heavy rainfall, flooding, strong winds, lightning and related weather events, Habari Insurance Brokers Limited wishes to encourage all clients to review their risk-management arrangements and take appropriate preventive measures.

Severe weather can cause significant damage to buildings, stock, machinery, vehicles, electrical equipment, and other property. It may also interrupt business operations, restrict access to premises and affect the movement of goods.

Taking preventive action before the rain begins can significantly reduce the likelihood and severity of a loss.

1. Property and Premises

Clients are encouraged to:

• Inspect and clear gutters, downpipes, drains, culverts and drainage channels.
• Ensure that water can flow freely away from buildings and storage areas.
• Repair damaged roofs, windows, doors, and external walls.
• Check the condition of perimeter walls, gates, retaining walls, and other structures.
• Seal openings through which rainwater or surface water may enter.
• Install or maintain flood barriers, sandbags, water pumps, and other protective equipment where appropriate.
• Regularly inspect basements, underground storage areas, and low-lying sections of the premises.
• Confirm that fire alarms, extinguishers, emergency lighting, and other safety equipment remain operational.

Particular attention should be given to premises situated in low-lying areas, near rivers, dams, drainage channels, coastlines, or other watercourses, as well as premises with a previous history of flooding.

2. Stock, Machinery and Equipment

Where possible, clients should:

• Raise stock, machinery, and electrical equipment above floor level.
• Avoid storing valuable or water-sensitive goods directly on the floor.
• Use pallets, shelves, racks, or raised platforms in storage areas.
• Relocate high-value stock and equipment away from doors, drains, windows and low-lying sections of the premises.
• Protect electrical panels, generators, servers, and other critical equipment from water exposure.
• Secure outdoor equipment and loose property that may be damaged or displaced by strong winds.
• Maintain an updated inventory of stock, machinery, and other insured assets.

3. Electrical and Fire Safety

Rainwater and flooding can increase the risk of electrical faults, short circuits, and fire. Clients should:

• Arrange for qualified personnel to inspect electrical installations where necessary.
• Avoid using electrical equipment that has been exposed to water until it has been professionally inspected.
• Ensure generators and fuel supplies are safely positioned and adequately protected.
• Avoid overloading electrical sockets or using damaged extension cables.
• Maintain fire-detection and fire-fighting equipment in good working condition.
• Ensure employees know how to safely isolate electricity and other utilities during an emergency.

4. Important Documents and Data

Clients should protect essential business and insurance records by:

• Storing original documents in waterproof and secure cabinets.
• Maintaining electronic backups of financial records, asset registers, invoices, contracts and other important documents.
• Keeping copies of insurance policies, schedules, and emergency contacts in a secure and accessible location.
• Ensuring computer systems and data backups can be accessed if the main premises become temporarily unavailable.

5. Motor Vehicles and Fleets

During heavy rainfall, motorists and fleet operators should:

• Avoid driving through flooded roads or areas where the depth and condition of the road cannot be determined.
• Move vehicles away from flood-prone parking areas.
• Ensure tires, brakes, lights, and windscreen wipers are properly maintained.
• Exercise additional caution where roads may be slippery, damaged, or obstructed.
• Avoid restarting a vehicle where water may have entered the engine.
• Review driver emergency procedures and ensure all drivers have the relevant assistance contacts.

6. Goods in Transit and Marine Cargo

Clients transporting or storing goods should:

• Review planned routes and avoid roads or storage locations known to be flood-prone.
• Monitor weather and road-condition advisories before dispatching goods.
• Ensure goods are properly packed, covered and secured against water damage.
• Avoid placing cargo directly on the floor of warehouses or containers where water ingress is possible.
• Inspect vehicles, containers and tarpaulins for leaks or damage before loading.
• Maintain dispatch records, delivery notes, photographs, and other supporting documentation.
• Notify HIBL promptly where delays, route changes or temporary storage arrangements materially change the insured transit.

7. Employee Safety and Emergency Preparedness

Every organization should have a practical emergency response plan. This should include:

• Clearly assigned responsibilities for emergency situations.
• Emergency contact numbers for staff, management, emergency services, utility providers, HIBL and insurers.
• Safe evacuation routes and designated assembly points.
• Procedures for protecting critical equipment, records, and stock.
• Arrangements for first aid, emergency lighting, and alternative communications.
• Regular communication with employees regarding weather warnings and workplace safety.
• Alternative working arrangements where the premises become inaccessible.

The safety of employees and members of the public should always take priority over the protection of property.

8. Business Continuity

Clients should review their business-continuity arrangements and consider:

• How operations would continue if the premises were temporarily inaccessible.
• Alternative premises, suppliers, transport routes, and communication channels.
• Backup power and internet arrangements.
• Protection of essential records and computer systems.
• Availability of emergency funds and key personnel, and recovery priorities for critical departments and services.
• Whether the existing Business Interruption sum insured and indemnity period remain adequate.

9. Review of Insurance Cover

Clients are encouraged to review their current insurance arrangements before the onset of adverse weather. Please note that:

• Flood, storm, water damage and Business Interruption cover may not automatically apply under every policy.
• Cover remains subject to the terms, conditions, exclusions, limits, excesses, and warranties stated in the applicable policy.
• Insurers may require additional information, photographs, risk-improvement measures, or a risk survey before granting or renewing flood cover.
• Special terms or higher excesses may apply to premises located in flood-prone areas, near watercourses or with a history of previous flood losses.
• Insurance cover cannot ordinarily be arranged, increased, or extended after flooding or damage has already commenced.
• Material changes to the location, occupancy, construction, use, stock levels, or value of insured property should be disclosed promptly.
• Buildings, machinery, stock, and other assets should be insured at their current replacement or reinstatement values to reduce the risk of underinsurance.

Clients should also confirm that all insured locations are correctly listed in their policy schedules.

10. Information That May Be Required

To assist with the review of flood and weather-related exposures, clients may be requested to provide:

• The physical location and description of the premises.
• Details of nearby rivers, drainage channels, dams, coastlines, or other water bodies.
• Information regarding previous flooding or water-damage incidents.
• Details of existing drainage and flood-protection measures.
• Current photographs of the premises and surrounding areas.
• Updated values for buildings, contents, machinery, and stock.
• Business Interruption declarations and financial information.
• Access for an insurer or risk surveyor to inspect the premises where necessary.

11. What to Do Following a Loss

In the event of flood, storm, or other weather-related damage:

• Prioritize the safety of employees, customers, and members of the public.
• Contact emergency services where required.
• Take reasonable steps to prevent further damage, provided it is safe to do so.
• Notify Habari Insurance Brokers Limited immediately.
• Take photographs and videos of the affected property and surrounding area.
• Prepare a list of damaged or lost items.
• Retain damaged property for inspection unless its removal is necessary for safety reasons.
• Keep invoices and records for emergency repairs, cleaning, towing, temporary storage, and other expenses.
• Do not carry out permanent repairs or dispose of damaged property without guidance from HIBL or the insurer, except where urgently necessary to prevent further loss.
• Cooperate with the appointed loss adjuster, investigator or surveyor and provide the requested supporting documentation.

Our Assistance

Habari Insurance Brokers Limited remains available to assist clients with:

• Reviewing existing insurance policies and flood cover.
• Assessing the adequacy of sums insured and Business Interruption limits.
• Identifying possible gaps or restrictions in cover.
• Coordinating risk surveys and insurer requirements.
• Advising on claims-notification procedures.
• Supporting clients throughout the claims process.

We encourage all clients to begin their preparations early rather than waiting until severe weather or flooding has commenced.

Yours faithfully,
Habari Insurance Brokers Limited
IRA Licensed Insurance Broker
Habari Heights, Zambezi Road
Tudor, Behind Ismaili Jamaat Khana
Mombasa, Kenya