Did You Get Your Mail? Spotty Delivery During Extreme Cold

Related news:

• Despite Warmup, Some Plainfield-Area Roads Still Treacherous
• Plainfield Schools, Library Open Wednesday
• Just How Low Did Temps, Wind Chill Values Go?
• Plainfield Garbage Pickup Delayed Again by Weather

It also created issued with mail delivery, according to some Plainfield residents.

While some readers said their mail arrived as usual, others hadn't seen their mailman in days — and had plenty to say about it. Check out readers' responses on Facebook.

Prior to the big chill — which brought wind chills as low as -40 degrees to Plainfield — the U.S. Postal Service urged residents to keep their mailboxes clear of snow.

"Snow and ice make delivery dangerous and slow,” said Central Illinois District Manager Peter R. Allen. “Maintaining a clear path to the mail box – including steps, porches, walkways and street approach – will help letter carriers maintain consistent delivery service and help them get those cards and packages delivered.”  

According to USPS, delivery can be delayed whenever streets or walkways present hazardous conditions for letter carriers or when snow is plowed against mailboxes.

“The Postal Service curtails delivery only after careful consideration, and only as a last resort,” Allen said.  “Any curtailed mail is attempted the next delivery day.”  

According to Tinley Park Patch, mail carriers were also told they needed to be off the streets by 5 p.m. Monday, Jan. 6, because of the cold. They were told only to deliver to businesses, curbside boxes, centralized boxes and boxes in enclosed apartment buildings, said Lee Junious, a customer service supervisor with the post office.

On Tuesday, Jan. 7, carriers were told they could deliver to all the stops on their routes, but they still had to stop by 5 p.m., Junious said. 

As of Wednesday, Jan. 8, delivery is back to normal, but carriers are still being asked to stop at 6 or 7 p.m., Junious added.

Editor's note: Updated at 11:15 p.m. Jan. 8.