What should you do when a road is washed out?
Never drive through floodwater or across a road you cannot see. Water can hide missing pavement, and a few inches can move a vehicle. Turn around. Check weather.gov for flood warnings in your area.
If a washout is on a public road, call the county road department or the sheriff so they can mark and close it. Take a photo and note the location.
If you are caught on a road when water begins to rise, move to higher ground on foot if you can do so safely, and call 911.
- Do not drive through water
- Mark or report the washout
- Photograph and note the location
- Keep people and animals away from edges
Who is responsible for the road?
Ownership varies. Some roads belong to the county, some to the township or state, and some are private and maintained by the owners, sometimes with an informal or formal agreement. Check with the county road department, county clerk or recorder to find out which type yours is.
If the road is private, neighbors may need to share costs. Written agreements, signed by everyone, prevent arguments. An attorney can explain how maintenance duties and easements work in your state.
Ask for a copy of any road maintenance agreement, and keep a copy where you can find it. If none exists, consider writing one with neighbors with the help of an attorney.
- Check the county road map or records
- Ask neighbors who has maintained it before
How do you plan for emergencies when access is cut off?
Tell your emergency contacts, and let the sheriff or your 911 center know that your road is out, since responders need to plan a route. Keep a supply of food, water, medicine, animal feed and fuel for several days.
If someone needs medical care, call 911 and explain the road conditions. Ask your county emergency management office about alternate routes, boats or helicopters in extreme cases.
Check on elderly or ill neighbors by phone, and agree on a shared plan for who has a tractor, a chainsaw or a boat.
- Notify the sheriff or 911 center
- Stock food, medicine and feed
- Keep fuel and phone chargers ready
- Know a second route out
How do you work with neighbors and the county?
Organize early. Walk the damage with neighbors, take pictures, and write down who is affected. Call the county road department together and ask about their schedule and what help is available. Be patient, since crews prioritize roads that serve many homes.
If the county cannot help quickly, ask about disaster assistance and technical help. Your county emergency management office and the Natural Resources Conservation Service may be able to offer guidance.
Keep written notes of all calls, with names and dates, so you can follow up.
- Share phone numbers
- Meet on site with a county representative
Can you make temporary repairs?
Be careful. Temporary repairs on a public road may need permission, and work near water or on steep banks can be dangerous. Do not move equipment onto a road without checking that it will hold, and do not dig in a stream without checking permit rules with your state environmental agency.
On a private road, an experienced local contractor can often give advice. Get quotes and an agreement in writing.
If you hire a contractor, ask whether the work needs a permit and who is responsible if the repair fails.
How do you reduce future washouts?
Washouts often come from poor drainage: undersized or blocked culverts, ditches that carry too much water, bare slopes and water running down the road surface. Fixing drainage often costs less than rebuilding repeatedly.
Ask your local conservation district, NRCS office or extension office for advice on road drainage and erosion control.
- Keep culverts and ditches clear
- Shape the road to shed water
- Cover bare slopes
- Walk the road after every heavy rain
What help is available?
Federal and state programs may help with damage to roads and land after disasters, but rules, deadlines and eligibility vary. Ask your county emergency management office, the Farm Service Agency and the Natural Resources Conservation Service about current programs.
Keep records of damage, costs and communication with officials.
Documents showing past damage can also help in a request for assistance, so keep photos, receipts and notes together in a folder.
Key takeaways
- Never drive through floodwater, and report washouts to the county road department.
- Find out who owns and maintains your road before problems begin.
- Stock supplies and tell your 911 center when access is cut.
- Good drainage prevents repeat washouts.
Sources and further reading
Last reviewed: November 12, 2026. Written by the Rural Farm Life Editorial Team. See our editorial policy.