Checking the mail is part of a daily routine for most Americans: Some of us even know our U.S. Postal Service (USPS) mail carrier by name. But there are plenty of other situations when we have to take a trip to our local post office—and it can be very frustrating to arrive and find it closed. Thankfully, that doesn't happen often, and when it does, the Postal Service is quick to alert customers. Now, three states are facing disruptions, and some situations are more serious than others. Read on to find out where the USPS is suspending services.
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Two post offices in Hawaii were shut down due to wildfires.
ShutterstockWildfires have been ravaging parts of Maui, Hawaii, since Aug. 9, The Washington Post reported. The death toll has climbed to 36 people in what officials called an "unprecedented" situation, with mass evacuations ongoing, according to CNN.
As a result, the USPS issued a service alert yesterday, notifying the public that two post offices suspended operations in Lahaina. The historic city, which is located on Maui, experienced some of the most devastating destruction resulting from the wildfires, the Associated Press reported.
"The ongoing wildfires on Maui have prompted the closure of the Lahaina Main Post Office, located at 1760 Honoapiilani Highway, and the Lahaina Downtown Post Office, located at 132 Papalaua Street," an Aug. 9 USPS press release reads.
As damage continues to be assessed, the Postal Service noted that it will keep residents informed.
"Mail service for customers of these offices will be relocated to nearby USPS facilities as soon as all Maui postal facilities have been assessed and transportation routes are open," the release reads. "An announcement of the alternate service locations will be made as soon as that information is available."
In a statement provided to Best Life, Duke Gonzales, APR, USPS strategic communications specialist, confirmed that the agency is "still assessing the impact to our operations."
A post office in Massachusetts temporarily shuttered as well.
ShutterstockWhile wildfires are confined to Hawaii, the USPS is facing disruptions elsewhere as well.
According to an Aug. 9 Service Alert, the North Andover Post Office at 112 Main Street in North Andover, Massachusetts, was temporarily closed. The alert cites "water damage" as the cause and notes that customers' mail and retail services were moved to the nearby Lawrence Post Office at 431 Common Street.
"The facility was closed on Tuesday as the fire department had to shutoff electrical service to the building due to the flooding," Steve Doherty, strategic communications specialist for the USPS, told Best Life in a statement. "We’re still assessing the damage at this time and have no definitive return date but crews will be working diligently to make any necessary repairs and reopen the facility as quickly as possible to minimize any negative impact to our customers."
He continued, "We appreciate our customers' patience as they work out of the Lawrence Post Office while we get our North Andover station back online."
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Operations in Colorado were also suspended.
ShutterstockThe USPS confirmed that a post office in Thornton, Colorado, at 8804 Washington Street, has closed as well, but did not provide additional reasoning. The alert notes that mail and retail services were moved to the North Pecos Office at 1411 Cortez Street in Denver.
In a statement to Best Life, James Boxrud, spokesperson for the USPS, explained that the Thornton facility was leased, and now that the lease ended, the owner "has chosen to redevelop the location."
"Our colleagues have been communicating for some time with the city in advance of this change, and we are working to find retail space nearby," Boxrud said, adding that the delivery routes from the Thornton location were unaffected.
But while the Thornton Post Office is currently closed, another Colorado location recently opened back up. The Fountain Post Office closed late last month after a vehicle crash, the USPS said in a local press release.
"A vehicle drove into the Fountain Post Office forcing postal officials to relocate retail services and PO Box customer services," the agency said.
While it wasn't initially clear how serious the damage to the building was, as of Aug. 3, the post office is back up and running, per the Service Alerts page.
Three additional post offices closed in Indiana and Missouri this week.
ShutterstockThe USPS suspended services in two states earlier this week, including the post office in San Pierre, Indiana, which was temporarily closed due to "safety concerns regarding the building conditions," according to an Aug. 8 press release. As of Tuesday, the agency was unsure when the repairs would be complete.
Two post offices also shuttered temporarily in Missouri. The Baring Post Office suffered structural damage, while the Bell City Post Office was shuttered due to flooding. Both post offices are undergoing repairs, the agency confirmed in separate local press releases.
