Snow accumulation and limited road accessibility throughout Arizona’s high country is creating a challenge for USPS letter carriers. That snow can cause blocked mailboxes and roads, and create slippery surfaces which can prevent delivery and cause dangerous conditions.

Letter carriers are advised to use good judgment when attempting to deliver to addresses where ice and snow are not cleared. They are instructed to refrain from delivering to locations that are inaccessible or when they deem delivery too hazardous. If your mailbox is inaccessible, a temporary alternative to home delivery is to place your mail on hold until your mailbox is clear of obstruction. Visit https://holdmail.usps.com/holdmail/ to submit, edit, change, or cancel a request online.

USPS offers a Hold Mail service, free of charge, which includes all letters and packages. This service can be discontinued at any time and would allow customers the opportunity to visit their local Post Office to retrieve all items received and ready for pick up, with a valid picture I.D.

Here are a few ways to help keep your carrier safe this winter:

• Customers are asked to clear enough snow from curbside boxes – at least six feet on both sides of the mailbox – so the carrier may approach and leave without backing his or her vehicle.
• Clear snow from both the front and back of cluster boxes.
• Walkways need to be cleared so as to allow enough traction to avoid slips, trips and falls.
• Steps – especially painted wood – must be clear of ice and snow and kept in good repair.
• Overhangs must be cleared of snow and ice to avoid injury.

Our carriers are working hard to navigate tough winter weather conditions for their customers. We ask for your patience as our carriers deliver as safely as possible through this challenging environment. The Postal Service apologizes for any inconvenience customers may experience during these severe winter storms.

We encourage anyone with a postal issue to call our customer care line at 800-ASK-USPS (800-275-8777). This allows us the opportunity to address the specific concern as well as document the occurrence. Customers can also go to our website usps.com and click on “Contact Us” at the bottom of our homepage. Every customer experience and every piece of mail is important to the Postal Service.

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