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The effects left in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene have led to a major disruption to the way the U.S. Postal Service delivers mail to affected areas.

First, let’s address the major concern. No, this won’t affect any mail coming in or going out of Prince Edward, Buckingham or Cumberland counties. It also won’t have as much of an effect on other parts of our state. What it will do, however, is impact any mail or packages you’re sending to friends and family in western North Carolina.

USPS officials confirmed to The Herald they have temporarily suspended retail and delivery operations for some postal facilities throughout western North Carolina until further notice.

“The safety of our customers and employees is the Postal Service’s top priority in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene,” said Philip Bogenberger, USPS spokesman for North Carolina and Virginia. “At this time, we are still assessing damage and impacts. We are dispatching recovery teams to affected areas.”

Bogenberger said that post offices in southern and central Virginia are all open and customers should be experiencing normal delivery.

The USPS website that tracks disruptions said as of Saturday, Oct. 5, five offices in North Carolina are closed with no retail or delivery services. These include: Barnardsville, 28709; Cedar Mountain, 28718; Hot Springs, 28743; Rosman, 28772; and Swannanoa, 28778. The Newland Post Office, 28657, is closed with no retail, but delivery is being attempted where it can be safely done.

The Postal Service is committed to delivering each piece of mail where it is safe to do so and where conditions permit, officials said in a news release. For offices that are experiencing a temporary closure, the Postal Service is making contingency plans to conduct retail and delivery operations from a nearby facility.

OFFICES REMAIN CLOSED

The Service Alerts also show there are 15 offices that remain closed with mail being sent to alternate facilities. These locations include: Alexander, 28701, and Marshall, 28753, operations moved Weaverville; Bat Cave, 28710, and Edneyville, 28727, operations moved to Hendersonville’s main office; Chimney Rock, 28720, operations moved to Lake Lure; Gerton, 28735, operations moved to Fairview; Green Mountain, 28740, operations moved to Burnsville; Micaville, 28755, operations moved to Burnsville; Montreat, 28757, operations moved to Ridgecrest; Penland, 28765, operations moved to Spruce Pine; Creston, 28615, operations moved to Jefferson; Fleetwood, 28626, operations moved to Todd; Lansing, 28643, operations moved to Warrensville; Linville, 28646, mobile unit in town; and Plumtree, 28664, operations moved to Minneapolis.

“All remaining locations throughout the affected area are attempting delivery where safe to do so,” the service alerts page stated, noting this will be affected by local conditions and road closures.

Additional facilities in affected areas are experiencing power outages and may be operating with diminished capacity, USPS officials said in last week’s news release. USPS Service Alerts provide information to consumers, small businesses, and business mailers about disruptions at postal facilities due to weather-related or other natural disasters. Updated information is available at https:// about.usps.com/newsroom/service-alerts/. “The status of operations is being continually evaluated and adjustments made to ensure safe and swift restoration of delivery and retail services in locations as soon as possible,” Bogenberger said. “Efforts will continue as long as needed until full services are restored.”

Customers with questions about delivery can contact their local Post Office or call 1-800-ASK-USPS.