USPS Is Suspending Services in These Places, Effective Immediately
The Postal Service cited "storm related issues" as the reason for California closures.
Even if you only visit your local post office sporadically, it's nice to know that the option is there when you need it. But while you expect these facilities to shutter on Sundays and bank holidays, sometimes unexpected circumstances prompt a closure. In fact, the Postal Service announced that multiple post offices have been temporarily shuttered due to safety concerns, meaning your mail could be affected. Read on to find out where the USPS is suspending services, effective immediately.
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Tropical Storm Hilary just hit the West Coast.
On Sunday evening, Tropical Storm Hilary—which hit land as a hurricane on Mexico's Baja California Peninsula—brought record-breaking rainfall to Southern California, CBS News reported. Hilary is the first tropical storm to hit Southern California in 84 years, causing floods, mudslides, and rockslides through Monday.
The storm eventually moved north, but the USPS confirmed that several local post offices in California were forced to close temporarily "due to storm related issues."
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Four post offices closed yesterday.
Yesterday, four post offices in California were closed "due to the impacts of Tropical Storm Hilary," including the Forest Falls, Morongo Valley, North Palm Springs, and Shoshone Post Offices.
According to an Aug. 21 press release, retail services and mail service were temporarily relocated for customers who use these post offices, with plans to resume operations "as soon as the U.S. Postal Service determines that it is safe to do so."
In an email to Best Life this afternoon, Duke Gonzales, APR, strategic communications specialist for the USPS, confirmed that all four post offices had reopened.
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Two additional California post offices closed today.
While four post offices were able to resume operations on Aug. 22, two other California locations were temporarily closed today. According to the USPS Service Alerts, the Darwin Post Office, located at 251 Reddy Street, and the Keeler Post Office, located at 148 Railroad Ave., also shuttered due to the tropical storm.
No additional details were provided regarding the Darwin or Keeler closures. Best Life reached out to the USPS for more information and potential reopening dates, and we will update the story upon hearing back.
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Another post office closure is on the horizon.
While these temporary closures in California were made in response to an emergency situation, residents in Maryland are getting advance notice of an interruption.
According to an Aug. 18 press release, the USPS will be temporarily suspending services at the Fort Howard Post Office in Fort Howard, Maryland. The post office, located at 9200 Howard Avenue, is closing on Sept. 15 "due to a termination of its current lease," the USPS said.
Once the office officially closes, retail operations and P.O. Box service will be moved to the Dundalk Post Office, with mail available for pick-up as of Sept. 18.
Best Life reached out to the USPS regarding the Fort Howard closure, and we will update the story with their response.
