We've come to expect regular mail service, even if the reality is a little dicier than that. As it turns out, brief delays in deliveries aren't the only thing we have to worry about, however. While the U.S Postal Service (USPS) strives to always keep operations going without interruption, that's not possible all the time. From animal attacks to hazardous weather, there are many uncontrollable factors that can make postal service unsafe for both employees and customers. Now, the USPS is once again suspending service in the face of new challenges. Read on to find out more about the latest closures.
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The USPS is suspending services in two different states.
iStockThe USPS regularly provides information to customers about disruptions affecting the agency's operations through its online Service Alerts tool. Their latest alerts indicate that service has just been suspended at post offices in California and Louisiana.
The Postal Service temporarily shuttered a facility in Gasquet, California, according to a March 12 update to the Service Alerts website.
The following day, on March 13, the agency announced that it had closed another post office in California—this time in the town of Spreckels—and a Louisiana facility, the Heflin Post Office.
One of the California post offices closed because of building damage.
ShutterstockCustomers in Gasquet are dealing with the consequences of a car accident. In a separate local press release, the USPS said the facility "has temporarily closed after sustaining significant building damage caused by a contract truck crashing into the post office" on March 11.
The California Highway Patrol said that the driver had lost control of the truck, which was carrying mail from Medford, Oregon, local ABC-affiliate KRCR reported.
The driver was taken to the hospital for injuries, according to the news outlet. But "no one was inside the building at the time of the crash," the Postal Service said.
During the suspension, Gasquet customers are being directed to the Smith River Post Office for retail and mail pick-up services. Street delivery will not be impacted, however.
In its press release, the USPS said that "this is an actively evolving situation," giving no indication of a specific timeline for repairs.
"The Postal Service sincerely apologizes for any inconvenience customers may experience and we remain committed to delivering to our communities daily," the USPS said. "We greatly appreciate the patience of our customers during this unforeseen emergency relocation."
Best Life reached out to the USPS for more information on a potential timeline, but has not yet heard back.
The other California facility was shuttered for winter storms.
iStockThe other recent California closure involves hazardous weather conditions—which is not uncommon this winter. In the past few weeks, the USPS has suspended services in several parts of California for the same reason. On March 13, the Postal Service said that the Spreckels Post Office is "closed due to severe winter storms."
The specific concern for Spreckels right now is flooding from the storms, the Santa Cruz Sentinel reported. Residents in the town have been urged to consider seeking higher ground after a flood warning was issued for the nearby Salinas River, according to the newspaper.
"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."
The Postal Service is directing Spreckels customers to the Salinas Post Office for mail pick-up and retail services during the closure. Best Life reached out to the agency to find out if a timeline has been set for the reopening of the Spreckels Post Office, but has not yet heard back.
The Postal Service hasn't given much insight into the Louisiana closure.
ShutterstockOver in Louisiana, postal customers are also dealing with a new closure. In its alert, the USPS said that the Heflin Post Office is "temporarily closed due to a safety issue." The agency similarly said that the service suspension was the result of "safety concerns" in a separate local press release, but no more context was provided.
Best Life reached out to the USPS for more information on the specific safety problems at play, but has not yet heard back.
Meanwhile, Heflin customers can still go to the facility for their postal needs. The Postal Service has set up a Mobile Retail Unit (MRU) in the parking lot of the Heflin Post Office, where retail window and P.O. Box services will be conducted.
"We apologize for this inconvenience to our customers and hope to have the office fully functional again as soon as possible," the USPS stated in its press release.
