There were several reports of pavement buckling and blowing-up in southwest Iowa, Saturday, due to the combination of extreme heat and humidity. A section of Interstate 80 buckled in Cass County between Exits 64 and 70, forcing traffic to be rerouted for a time. More than a couple of vehicles were damaged by driving over the uplifted section of pavement. In Fremont County, a section of 250th Street blew out near 290th Avenue, west of Riverton. And, there were reports of a road buckling near Treynor. Transportation officials in Minnesota and Wisconsin were warning motorists of similar, dangerous road conditions, Saturday.

Example of Pavement blow-up incident

Pavement buckles are most common when the weather quickly goes from cool to very hot, causing pavement to expand. This can cause concrete slabs of pavement to push against each other, and if the pressure becomes great enough the pavement can buckle. With weather conditions expected to be extreme again today, be cautious if you plan on traveling, and anticipate the unexpected (Such as a sudden change in pavement conditions). Keep your eyes on the road, scanning ahead for obstructions, and a firm grip on the steering wheel.