Some viewers told 5 On Your Side they have gone without mail delivery for days. USPS said winter weather conditions in some areas are creating “challenges.”
ST. LOUIS — “Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds,” according to the United States Postal Service – except a snow storm in St. Louis apparently.
Viewers tell 5 On Your Side their mail was last delivered Tuesday before a storm unloaded several inches of snow across the bistate area.
“I’ve been waiting for my mail for three days and counting now. I have magazines that I pay for. I had trouble getting them, and I was expecting a check that I never got,” said a frustrated south St. Louis County resident, who is in her 80s.
“I just want my mail. When I got out to the mailbox today, I thought, ‘Well, I’m glad I didn’t go out (and) break my neck … going to the mailbox, because (it) was empty,” added the woman, who asked not to be identified.
In a statement, USPS spokesman Mark Inglett acknowledged “conditions in some areas are creating challenges for us.”
He also reminded customers to make sure their driveways, sidewalks, steps and porches are clear, and for those receiving curbside delivery, snow piles left by snowplows should be removed to keep access to mailboxes clear for letter carriers.
“Delivery service may be delayed or curtailed whenever streets or walkways present hazardous conditions for letter carriers or when snow is plowed against mailboxes,” according to the statement. “The Postal Service curtails delivery only after careful consideration, and only as a last resort.
“Any curtailed mail is attempted the next delivery day.”
However one person who reached out to 5 On Your Side stated “no one” in his condo building has gotten mail “for days” and has been able to “find out nothing” by calling the post office.
Inglett also encouraged people to contact the Post Office directly with individual concerns at usps.com, click on “Contact us” at the bottom of its homepage or send an e-mail.
“Every email will be carefully documented and appropriate action taken to strengthen service,” Inglett wrote.
The Post Office’s Twitter account is also monitoring customer complaints at @USPSHelp