road washout
Storm-damaged highway section
A road washout is a section of roadway that has been eroded or destroyed by water, typically from flooding, heavy rain, or stream overflow.
The water undermines or sweeps away the road surface and underlying support, leaving a gap or collapsed area that's impassable: The storm caused several road washouts in the county.
Drivers may encounter warning signs or barricades where washouts have occurred.
- flash floodRapid overflow from storms
- floodOverwhelming water overflow
- heavy rainIntense sustained precipitation
- erosionGradual wearing away
- collapseSudden structural failure
sinkhole · mudslide · debris · detour · culvert · bridge · gravel · pavement · crater · highway · storm · rainfall · gully · undercut · structural failure · embankment · barrier · traffic cone