In Cape Girardeau, Missouri, an unsuspecting driver recently experienced the kind of car stunt most people only see in movies—thanks to an extreme heatwave. The heat didn't just turn up the temperature—it actually caused the road beneath the driver to buckle, sending the Toyota Corolla airborne in an unexpected, heart-stopping jump.
While extreme weather like heatwaves often leads to damaged roads, the full extent of how high temperatures can wreak havoc on infrastructure is often overlooked. We're all familiar with the potholes that appear after winter, caused by freeze-thaw cycles, but heat can be just as destructive, if not more so.
In this particular incident, a stretch of road in Cape Girardeau had been suffering under a scorching heatwave. As the Toyota Corolla approached, the pavement suddenly buckled—creating what looked like an impromptu ramp. The force of the road snapping up was so strong that it launched a nearby traffic cone into the air, narrowly missing a passing Honda Accord. The Corolla’s driver, caught completely off guard, didn’t have time to react and was sent flying over the newly-formed ramp.
The car sailed briefly before hitting the ground nose-first, bouncing violently before stabilizing. The damage to the Corolla’s front end was likely substantial, though the video doesn’t show what happened next to the driver.
What followed was a jaw-dropping visual: the now-buckled section of road was high enough to almost meet the lower doors of a newer Nissan Altima. Nearby, an older Altima had stopped just before the damaged road, likely because the driver had recognized the hazard. This dramatic scene highlights a growing concern: extreme heat could soon become a regular cause of road damage in places that are not typically known for sweltering temperatures. As summer temperatures climb higher and heatwaves become more frequent, infrastructure like roads and bridges could be at risk for similar, and potentially more severe, damage.
This event serves as a wake-up call for both authorities and drivers alike. The risks posed by extreme heat go beyond the discomfort of sweltering temperatures—they can lead to real and dangerous consequences on the road. For cities and states that are experiencing more heat than ever before, investing in stronger, heat-resistant infrastructure is becoming critical. Regular road maintenance, such as fixing cracks and reinforcing asphalt, should be prioritized to prevent incidents like the one in Cape Girardeau.
For drivers, this is a reminder to stay alert, particularly during the hottest months of the year. Extreme weather is no longer just a seasonal inconvenience; it’s a growing concern that can create unexpected hazards on our daily drives. While the Toyota Corolla driver may have been caught off guard this time, it’s a scenario that could become all too common as we face more frequent heatwaves.
As summers grow hotter, roads and infrastructure will need to adapt. The situation in Missouri may be just one example of what's to come, but it's clear that both motorists and local authorities will need to prepare for the challenges ahead. Extreme heat isn’t just a discomfort—it’s a real threat to the safety and stability of our roads.