Kauai's north shore communities are still cut off from the machinery and supplies they need after hurricane damage to the Wainiha bridges, and conditions are getting worse, not better.

• Damaged bridges have a weight limit that keeps heavy equipment, and even garbage trucks, from reaching Wainiha and Hāʻena.
• The river shifted course during the storm, tearing out land and trees and pushing all its water toward the larger, damaged bridge.
• Residents are dealing with sewage water in their homes, no fuel for generators, and almost no cell service.
• Neighbors are running informal food and water drops because official help has not arrived at scale.
• Blocked rock and debris mean another heavy rain could flood the area again.

Outlook: State transportation officials expect to raise the bridge weight limit to 15 tons once temporary repairs finish on September 21, while the county has not yet said whether National Guard air support is coming.