The Postal Service is keeping the mail moving after a winter storm walloped a swath of states in the mid-Atlantic and New England last weekend, causing widespread travel disruptions and dropping more than 2 feet of snow in many areas.
Power outages, flooding and whiteout conditions affected much of the coast from Virginia to Maine before the storm made its way into Canada.
On Jan. 29, Boston tied the record for biggest one-day snowfall — 23.6 inches.
Around East Bridgewater, MA, which received about 28 inches of snow, “the carriers have gone above and beyond,” Postmaster Deborah Willard said.
This included delivering what and where they could on Jan. 29 and coming to work on Jan. 30, a Sunday, to get 36 vehicles cleaned off in preparation for deliveries the next day.
“They did a great job,” Willard said.
With temperatures in the teens and single digits, the weekend also meant dealing with frozen locks at the Post Office and trying to arrange for snowplow contractors to clear the parking lot.
The effect of the storm could last weeks, in Willard’s view, mostly dependent on customers’ ability to clear a path to their mailbox.
Prior to the storm’s arrival, Massachusetts-Rhode Island District distributed “My First Winter,” a primer for newer employees who may not be familiar with such intense storms. Tips on cold weather protection and navigating through snow were also sent out.
USPS is also urging customers to clear their sidewalks and mailboxes so carriers can make deliveries.
“The Postal Service treats safety and service with equal priority,” said New York 2 District Manager Frank J. Calabrese. “That’s why we remind you to include that mailbox in your snow removal routine.”
More snow is on the way: Another large winter storm system is expected this week, with 31 million people under weather alerts stretching from Colorado to Michigan.
The usps.com Service Alerts and Newsroom sections have the latest updates on service disruptions and operational adjustments.