Summer is the quintessential time to kick back and relax with the people you love, which is probably why so many of us are busy planning family reunions this time of year! In your haste to meet your cousin’s new wife or reconnect with your beloved grandma, you may forget how important it is to find a location that accommodates everyone from Great-Aunt Margaret to your infant nephew. As families grow bigger, logistics also become more complicated. You must ensure that no unfortunate surprises ruin your joyous gathering. At Paul Davis Restoration/Emergency Services of (location), your family’s safety is our number one priority. We’ve put together a list of the top four disastrous family reunion scenarios—including tornadoes and hailstorms—and how to plan ahead, just in case!

Dangers out and about:

1.     You’ve scouted the local national parks and finally found the perfect spot for a relaxed family picnic. But if you live in parts of the Midwest, you might be setting your picnic blanket down in a flash flood zone! Flash floods can occur from July through September, so call your local park rangers ahead of time to make sure the area you’ve chosen is safe in the event a flood does occur. And if it’s stormy the morning of the party, consider postponing it for six hours if possible!

2.     The weatherman promised hail for the afternoon of your reunion at the lake, but the skies look clear that morning. Don’t be so fast to shrug it off. Hail prediction is actually quite accurate, so while the skies may be blue in the morning, you risk being caught in a dangerous storm if you don’t change your plans—and city (residents) know that large hailstones can weigh more than a pound! The safer bet? If hail is on the forecast, move the party to an indoor location or postpone it.

Dangers at home:

3.     If you haven’t used your deck much this spring, make sure to give it a good inspection before hosting the family reunion on it. Otherwise, you may wind up with your rotting deck collapsing underneath your guests! Wood tends to rot in snowy conditions, so even though it was a mild winter in (city), test your deck for warped or discolored wood, or soft spots that give under pressure. If you see any of these signs, call in a professional to replace the wood before your family gathers out back!

4.     Midwesterners know how quickly a tornado can appear out of a perfect weather day. If you live in Tornado Alley and are hosting your reunion at home, make sure there’s ample shelter space for the entire party, or your guests may wind up without a safe place to take refuge in the event of a tornado. If your shelter is small or aboveground, consider moving the reunion to a community center or facility with ample shelter space. In case a tornado does strike, your family will be much safer there and you won’t be left wondering, “What if?”