Extreme heat is causing roads to buckle in multiple states
10 months ago
- #road buckling
- #extreme heat
- #climate change
- Extreme heat and humidity across the eastern U.S. are causing roads to buckle, affecting nearly 150 million people.
- Road buckling incidents are more common on concrete roads than asphalt roads due to expansion under high temperatures.
- Concrete roads expand in heat, and if joints can't accommodate the expansion, the concrete panels push against each other, causing breaks.
- Human-caused climate change is making heat waves more intense and longer-lasting, increasing the likelihood of road buckling.
- States not accustomed to extreme heat may have roads less prepared for such conditions, leading to more buckling incidents.
- Safety tips include reporting excessive road cracking to local agencies and being cautious of debris from chipping concrete.