Roads Are Buckling As Extreme Heat Grips Much Of The U.S.

In a striking video captured Sunday, a car driving in Missouri went airborne as the road underneath it unexpectedly buckled due to extreme heat.

The stunning clip, taken by Albert Blackwell, is just one example of how record-high temperatures this week are warping concrete and putting pressure on aging infrastructure in a large part of the country, with examples in Wisconsin, South Dakota and Illinois. Residents have been warned about potential road buckling amid the current heat wave as temperatures hit triple digits in numerous places.

According to a Fox 11 News Wisconsin affiliate, concrete expands under extreme heat, and roads are usually designed with this phenomenon in mind. However, when the temperature reaches higher than 90 degrees, the concrete can expand so much that it no longer has space to grow, resulting in a buckle.

It’s a phenomenon that’s happened during past heat waves in 2024 and 2023, though it could become more common. Because of human-induced climate change, experts say heat waves will increase in frequency and severity, so their effects could similarly expand in scope.

In addition to fueling health and environmental dangers, extreme heat can also have significant effects on different modes of infrastructure: Train rails can bend and distort, bridges can deteriorate as materials warp and power lines can droop, Scientific American reports.

Authorities have warned people to reduce their speeds while driving, particularly if they see or encounter a road buckling.

“Extreme temperatures and heavy precipitation can cause significant damage to roadways,” writes Suyun Paul Ham, associate professor of civil engineering at the University of Texas at Arlington, for The Conversation. “The deterioration of pavement leads to traffic delays and damaged vehicles. And, most critically, it can cause traffic accidents.”