What to do if you encounter roads buckling from extremely hot weather in Illinois

Extremely hot weather like the metro-east has been experiencing poses a risk for the roads, according to state transportation officials.

The Illinois Department of Transportation is cautioning drivers to be on the lookout for pavement buckling on roads across the state.

Pavement failures can occur during periods of prolonged high temperatures because the heat causes roads to expand, according to IDOT. Precipitation and humidity also increase the potential for buckling.

The National Weather Service has been issuing excessive heat warnings for the St. Louis region since Thursday, with heat index values up to 110 degrees. Those warnings have been extended through Saturday evening. Forecasters are also warning of the potential for thunderstorms into next week.

The Illinois Department of Transportation asks drivers to try not to drive over a buckle if possible because it can be dangerous.

In Marion County, the pavement buckled across both lanes of a road just north of U.S. Highway 50 in Salem on Friday night. “At normal roadway speed drivers could lose control,” Marion County Sheriff Kevin Cripps stated in a message to the community.

Marion County highway department workers put up caution signs to alert drivers to the area of Omega Road that buckled until it is repaired.

Illinois Transportation Secretary Omer Osman said in a statement Friday that IDOT has the crews and equipment to repair roads quickly when buckles occur.

You can report a buckle by calling IDOT at 1-800-452-4368 or by calling local law enforcement via 911.

This story was originally published July 29, 2023 at 4:05 PM.