Video: Midwest Road Explodes in Heat, Sending Car Airborne
Video: Midwest Road Explodes in Heat, Sending Car Airborne
Summer 2025 has brought a wave of scorching temperatures across the Midwest—and on June 22 in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, the heat became nothing short of explosive.
At approximately 3 p.m., a section of Siemers Drive buckled violently under the relentless sun, “exploding and rising over 18 inches” in a sudden, startling twist of pavement (fox13news.com).
A driver cresting the bulge was launched airborne—caught on video in a surreal moment that underscored the raw power of extreme heat .
When Asphalt Meets the Sun
Under extreme heat, road surfaces absorb intense thermal energy.
Most asphalt contracts in cool weather and expands when hot—but patchwork seams, uneven subgrades, or existing cracks can stop it from expanding evenly.
The result? Pressure mounts below the surface, and the pavement, unable to cope, buckles sharply upward.
This phenomenon isn’t exclusive to Cape Girardeau—many cities in heatwave-hit regions struggle with similar explosive pavement failures during heat domes.
Takeaways & Safety Tips
Heatwaves shift city infrastructure—this wasn’t just sensational footage; it was pavement reshaping before our eyes.
Stay alert while driving in high heat—avoid unusual bumps and report them immediately.
City planners must use resilient materials—heat-resistant asphalt mixes and stricter pavement regulations are now more essential than ever.
Protect yourself in extreme heat—these sun-blasted days come with associated risks like heat exhaustion, so hydrate, seek shade, and check in on neighbors.
