Heatwave Causes Road Buckling, Airborne Cars Missouri, Wisconsin

A severe heatwave in Missouri and other parts of the U.S. Midwest has caused roads to buckle, with at least one incident in Cape Girardeau capturing a car being launched airborne after driving over a raised section of pavement. The extreme heat causes concrete and asphalt to expand, leading to pavement blow-up and hazardous driving conditions, prompting state Departments of Transportation to warn motorists to drive carefully and report damaged roads. This phenomenon is not isolated, with over 50 roads buckling in some states, leading to closures and vehicle damage risks such as suspension and tire failures. Officials emphasize caution, advising drivers to reduce speed or stop when encountering buckled roads, while repair crews work to address the damage. Experts warn that such infrastructure failures may become more frequent due to rising global temperatures, which also pose significant health risks, with heat-related deaths increasing worldwide. The incidents highlight the urgent need for infrastructure reinforcement to withstand accelerating climate-related extremes.