How hot is it? Roads are buckling across parts of North America
It's so hot outside in parts of Canada and the U.S. that some roads have started to buckle
When temperatures rise to certain values, the physical composure of many items will naturally start to break down or change, but you know it's hot when that starts happening to concrete surfaces such as roads.
For example, as a result of the intense heat in Central Canada, portions of Highway 402, east of Sarnia, Ont., began to buckle Sunday under the extreme daytime highs, reported by the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP).
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Police noted that the westbound lanes between Oil Heritage and Mandaumin roads were still closed as of Monday morning, due to significant road surface damage from the heat.
Stateside, the same heat is affecting a portion of the U.S., causing similar situations on roadways to arise.
Intense temperatures caused parts of a Missouri road to suddenly buckled on Sunday, June 22. Witness Albert Blackwell captured the moment it happened, saying to Storyful in a statement:
“When I went back to get a front angle of cars going over the smaller buckle, the road exploded and rose [more than] 18 inches (0.45 metres), sending a car airborne," said Blackwell.
Recent bouts of heavy rainfall and a sudden temperature increase led to rapid water evaporation, according to Blackwell. That created pressure similar to a steam pot, causing the road to snap.
Similar instances of roads buckling during heat waves have sent other motorists airborne, too, as the pavement enlarges, and sometimes explodes.
Add road-buckling to the list of hazards to be aware of when dealing with extreme heat.
Hot weather safety tips
Drink plenty of water. Avoid caffeine and alcohol, which can be dehydrating.
Avoid direct sunlight, especially during peak hours and when the UV rating is high.
Wear lightweight, loose-fitting clothing.
Use air conditioning when possible. If you do not have access to air conditioning, consider visiting a cooling centre, a shopping centre, or a public library.
Check on elderly relatives and other vulnerable neighbours.
Avoid strenuous activities during the hottest parts of the day.
If you experience symptoms of heat-related illnesses like dizziness, nausea, or confusion, seek medical attention.
With files from Reuters.
Thumbnail contains an image courtesy of Storyful, created using CANVA.