People all across the U.S. rely on regular mail service. But sometimes the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) is faced with problems that make it impossible for postal operations to continue as usual. These issues include everything from concerning weather conditions to animal attacks to potentially dangerous damage to post offices. Now, customers in three different states are dealing with disruptions impacting postal operations. Read on to find out more about the latest USPS closures.
READ THIS NEXT: USPS Is Making These New Changes to Your Mail.
The USPS is suspending services in several states.
ShutterstockMultiple problems have prompted new postal suspensions across the U.S.
The USPS uses its Service Alerts website to inform customers about disruptions that are impacting their service. You can check this online tool to find "frequently-updated information about whether mail is being delivered to your neighborhood or if your local Post Office is open," according to the agency.
The newest alerts from the Postal Service indicate that issues have arisen in Georgia, Alabama, and Ohio. As a result, the agency has suspended services for customers in Tyrone, Georgia; Camp Hill, Alabama; and New Middletown, Ohio.
The Georgia facility is closed following a fire.
ShutterstockThe USPS updated its Service Alerts website on March 27 to inform customers in Georgia about the closure of the Tyrone Post Office. The agency said it is "suspending operations temporarily due to safety concerns," according to the alert.
In a separate local news release issued that same day, the Postal Service further explained that the safety concerns are related to a fire that broke out at the Tyrone Post Office on March 26.
"The [Postal] Inspector reiterated to me this morning that the exterior of the building does not reflect the extent of the damage inside the building," Tyrone Town Manager Brandon Perkins told The Citizen. "A lot of the mail that was not destroyed was covered in soot and smelled of heavy smoke. Some mail may have water damage. At any rate, whatever could be salvaged was transported to the [Peachtree City] facility and is being sorted with the intent of getting it to its intended recipient."
Postal customers in Tyrone are being directed to the Peachtree City Post Office for both retail and P.O. Box services. But retail transactions can also be conducted at the Sharpsburg Post Office and the Newnan Post Office, according to the USPS.
"Delivery service is not affected and will continue uninterrupted," the agency added. "The U.S. Postal Service apologizes to its customers for any inconvenience and appreciates their patience as postal personnel resume operations in Tyrone as quickly as possible."
In a statement to Best Life, USPS spokesperson Evelina Ramirez said, "Damages are currently being assessed, and the timeframe for completion of repairs is not known at this time. We appreciate our customers’ patience as we work to make the necessary repairs."
Storms have damaged the post office in Alabama.
ShutterstockThe Postal Service released another update on March 27, announcing the closure of the Camp Hill Post Office in Alabama. "Operations are temporarily suspended due to building damage," the USPS stated in its alert. This damage comes after recent storms hit the town, according to a separate local news release.
Severe weather hit Alabama over the weekend, resulting in at least five confirmed tornadoes, local NBC-affiliate WSFA reported. According to the news outlet, the town of Camp Hill experienced widespread damage from this as residents said their homes were "pelted by softball-sized hail."
In terms of the Camp Hill Post Office, USPS spokesperson Debbie Fetterly told Best Life that the storms have caused leaks to the facility.
"The U.S. Postal Service apologizes for any inconvenience and appreciates our customers’ patience as we address and repair damages and resume operations as quickly as possible," the agency said in its news release. The USPS has set up a Mobile Retail Unit (MRU) in the parking lot of the Camp Hill facility for customers to conduct retail transactions and pick up their P.O. Box mail.
"Mail delivery will continue in Camp Hill where it is safe to do so," the Postal Service added.
Power outages are impacting Ohio.
ShutterstockOn March 27, the USPS revealed that five post offices in Ohio had been closed. This impacted facilities were in the towns of Dalton, Brookfield, Vienna, New Middletown, and Struthers. According to the agency's alert, retail operations had been suspended at all of these post offices "due to a power outage."
Just a day later on March 28, the Postal Service announced that the Dalton, Brookfield, Vienna, and Struthers post offices had reopened. The New Middletown Post Office was not included in this update and is still closed, however.
When Best Life reached out to the USPS to find out why operations have not resumed at this facility, a USPS spokesperson said that the power is not expected to be restored until tomorrow. "Local management is working with the power company," they explained.
Thousands in Ohio appear to still be dealing with power outages as of March 28, according to FirstEnergy. As local news outlet Fox 8 reported, this is the result of strong winds that hit the state over the weekend.
During the ongoing postal closure, New Middletown customers are being directed to the Bessemer Post Office and Petersburg Post Office for retail services.
