USPS: Reestablishing service

Reestablishing service

When and where it is safe to do so, the Postal Service is re-entering storm-damaged areas to reopen Post Offices to restore mail delivery and service, and establish mobile retail centers to serve customer needs in damaged areas. USPS now has a policy in place to make sure employees are safe when re-entering facilities damaged by the storm surge and flood waters. On-site assessments of damage to New Orleans postal facilities, including the New Orleans P&DC, continues.

Services are gradually being restored in some of the areas hardest hit by Hurricane Katrina. In Louisiana, most of the state is now receiving normal mail delivery. USPS and the Social Security Administration have established temporary, alternative locations for the distribution of Social Security checks to residents who are unable to receive regular mail delivery service.

Similar efforts are underway in Mississippi where more than 1,000 checks were distributed through Sunday. The distribution effort in ZIP Code Area 395 for Social Security checks and other first-of-the-month checks has been extended through Wednesday Sept. 7.

“I am happy to report that we have resumed mail delivery and collection services to over 300,000 homes and businesses impacted by Hurricane Katrina,” said Mississippi District Manager James Daily. “I want to thank everyone for their patience and understanding as we continue to work together to overcome the challenges of the nation’s worst natural disaster. I particularly want to thank our employees for their efforts during a time that has been extremely challenging for them, as well.”

Across the country, evacuees are pouring into emergency shelters and USPS employees are there to assist them — helping them fill out change of address cards to make sure their mail gets to them. In Fort Chaffee, AR, relief workers turned the post where Elvis Presley entered the Army in 1958 into a processing center for evacuees. There, they were registered by the Social Security Administration, checked by doctors and given Post Office box addresses so they will still get their mail.