Car goes airborne after road buckles in extreme heat: watch the video here

Published On: June 25, 2025

Social media users are sharing a video of a road buckling during this week’s extreme heat, which caused an already moving car to go airborne.

The eerie incident happened in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, and was captured on camera by a bystander, according to USA Today.

On Sunday, June 22, Albert Blackwell obtained footage of a section of Siemers Drive in the city’s western area abruptly breaking, sending an approaching car lurching forward.

It all began with a minor bump that was crossed by multiple vehicles. In Cape Girardeau, it was identified by a cone and a construction sign in the center of the road close to a Honda dealership.

Storyful was informed by Blackwell that he had been shooting the road bulge but desired a better angle.

The road abruptly changes and collapses as one automobile crosses on the opposite side, only a moment before another car reaches it, sending the car hurtling through the air.

Blackwell told Storyful, “The road exploded and rose over 18 inches, sending a car airborne when I went back to get a front angle of cars going over the smaller buckle.”

Roads may bend, crack, or distort during periods of intense heat, according to MoDOT (FOX 2).

According to a previous article, MoDOT told FOX 2 that this occurs when moisture penetrates into a road crack, causing the fissure to widen and deepen. The road buckles and warps as the pavement deteriorates due to the heat.

Two roadways, including Siemers Drive, crumbled during the recent heat wave, according to a Facebook post by municipal officials.

This week is predicted to have additional high temperatures, which might lead to more street buckling in the city, the article said.

The city is cautioning motorists to drive cautiously and to pay attention to street repair staff.

Thankfully, no injuries were recorded, according to a Cape Girardeau Police Department official who talked to USA Today on June 23.

The police department recommended drivers to wear seat belts and to alert local law enforcement as soon as they see anything unusual about the road in order to promote safe driving and prevent roadway buckling caused by heat.