With extremely high temperatures and increasing humidity in the forecast, the Illinois Department of Transportation is cautioning the public to be on the lookout for pavement failures on roads throughout the state.
Some have already occurred in parts of southern Illinois and southeast Missouri, with a widely distributed video of a road buckling in real time in Cape Girardeau.
Pavement failures or blowouts occur when prolonged high temperatures cause the road to expand and buckle up or blow out, resulting in uneven driving surfaces. Precipitation and humidity increase the potential for buckling.
Pavement failures can be reported to IDOT by calling (800) 452-4368 or by reaching out to law enforcement via 911.
If you must travel during extreme heat, bring drinking water. Becoming stranded could be dangerous without proper hydration, as dehydration can occur quickly in these conditions.
For more information about pavement failures and how they occur, take a look at an educational video created by IDOT.
