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For other uses, see Washout (disambiguation).
A washout is the sudden erosion of soft surfaces by a gush of water usually occurring during a heavy downpour of rain or flooding.
Effect on road and rail transport
In road and rail transport, a washout is the result of a natural disaster where the roadbed is eroded away by flowing water, usually as the result of a flood. When a washout destroys a railroad's right-of-way, the track is sometimes left suspended in midair across the newly formed gap, or it dips down into a ditch. the phenomenon is discussed in more detail under erosion.