Severe storms, aggressive animals, busted buildings—these are all factors the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) has to consider before conducting its business. While we all expect our mail needs to be met on a regular basis, the USPS is also responsible for operating in a way that doesn't infringe on the safety of employees and customers. With that in mind, the agency has chosen to suspend services in certain areas right now "out of an abundance of caution." Read on to find out more about the latest post office closures.
READ THIS NEXT: USPS Is Making These New Changes to Your Mail.
The USPS has closed post offices in the past "out of an abundance of caution."
iStock / CribbVisualsPostal operations can be put on pause even when there is just a potential risk to people's safety.
Back in October, the USPS temporarily shut down a post office in Birmingham, Alabama, due to structural issues affecting the space. At the time, the agency noted that the suspension was enacted "in an abundance of caution," as the conditions created concern over safety.
We saw a similar service suspension hit a post office in Bullard, Texas, earlier this year. In January, the Postal Service temporarily closed this facility after a vehicle crashed into the retail lobby of the building.
"In an abundance of caution, and to ensure the safety of both postal customers and employees, the Postal Service is temporarily suspending retail operations at the Bullard Post Office," the USPS stated at the time, noting that it needed time to assess the damage and make any necessary repairs.
Now, this same cautious consideration is prompting the agency to suspend services in more places.
The agency is suspending services at a post office in California.
ShutterstockSome customers in California are now dealing with new postal disruptions. In a local press release, the USPS announced that it had just closed the Olema Post Office.
"This temporary measure was made necessary out of an abundance of caution and to protect the safety of our customers and employees on weather impacts from local flood waters," the agency stated.
Olema is one of the communities in Marin County, which are often at risk of flooding because of seasonal high tides that can be exacerbated by winter storms. Alongside other Bay Area counties in Northern California, the National Weather Service (NWS) issued a flood advisory for Marin County on March 14.
"Heavy rain will result in minor flood of low lying areas, creeks, and streams," the NWS said in its forecast.
This suspension also affects customers at another California post office.
ShutterstockThe Olema Post Office closure will not only affect customers from this town, however. Residents from Bolinas, California, are also being impacted. The USPS previously closed the Bolinas Post Office earlier this month because it was unable to secure a new lease agreement with the building's lessor—and as of March 6, the facility's services had been relocated to the Olema Post Office.
Now that this facility is also closed, retail and P.O. Box services for both the Olema and Bolinas Post Office have been temporarily relocated to Stinson Beach.
"Customers normally served by street delivery will not be impacted and will receive street delivery," the USPS stated. On the other hand, "impacted Olema and Bolinas P.O. Box holders" will have to go to the Stinson Beach Post Office for mail pick-up. Customers can access retail services at Stinson Beach or at the Point Reyes Post Office.
"We sincerely appreciate the patience and business of our customers. We remain committed to delivering to our customers with a primary focus on safety," the USPS said in its press release. "This remains an evolving situation, updates will be provided upon the improvement of weather conditions."
These are not the only facilities currently closed in the state.
ShutterstockFlood concerns just caused another California closure as well. On March 13, the Postal Service issued an alert informing customers that the Spreckels Post Office is currently closed "due to severe winter storms." As the Santa Cruz Sentinel explained, the specific concern in Spreckels now is also flooding from the storms.
Residents in the town have been urged to consider seeking higher ground after a flood warning was issued for the nearby Salinas River.
"We're keeping a close eye on the Salinas River," Monterey County spokesperson Nicholas Pasculli told the newspaper. "That's a big concern for us."
Just a few days prior, the USPS had also shut down a different facility in the state. According to a March 11 local press release, the Gasquet Post Office is temporarily closed following an automative accidents. This facility has sustained "significant building damage" after it was hit by a contract truck.
"This is an actively evolving situation, and we greatly appreciate the patience of our customers during this unforeseen emergency relocation," the agency said in its press release.
Best Life reached out to the Postal Service about all of the current California post office closures, but has not yet heard back.
