Will USPS deliver in this storm?
– A prolonged winter storm is bringing more than a foot of snow to parts of the Ohio Valley, with the National Weather Service warning of “substantial snowfall” and widespread travel disruptions, including in Ohio.
– USPS has already issued industry alerts noting the storm’s impacts on transportation and has suspended certain guarantees and live‑animal shipments because of dangerous cold and widespread air and surface disruptions.
– In similar winter events, USPS has warned that delivery may be delayed or curtailed whenever streets or walkways pose a hazardous condition for carriers, or when snow and ice make normal vehicle access impossible.
– The agency advises customers to check its online Mail Service Alerts page for ZIP‑code level updates on suspensions, delays and resumed operations.
{{AfGroup16}}
Key takeaway for Ohio
USPS will attempt to deliver where conditions allow, but residents in the heaviest‑snow zones should expect possible late arrival, skipped stops on impassable streets, or temporary suspension of service until roads and sidewalks are cleared.
How residents can help carriers
USPS is urging customers in snowy regions to make safety the priority by clearing safe access to mailboxes and front doors so carriers can continue working their routes.
– Clear a path to the mailbox
– Shovel and treat sidewalks, walkways and steps leading to the mailbox or front door so carriers have firm, non‑slippery footing.
– For curbside boxes, remove snow and ice so a postal vehicle can pull up, reach the box, and pull away without backing or driving through deep drifts.
– Remove plow piles and obstacles
– After city or county plows pass, clear the ridge of snow that may block access to roadside and cluster mailboxes.
– Move trash cans, parked vehicles and other obstacles away from the mailbox area so carriers do not have to step into the street or over snowbanks.
– Prevent ice hazards overhead and underfoot
– Knock down icicles and clear overhangs where snow or ice could slide onto a carrier using the steps or porch.
– Use salt or sand on slick spots around porches, stairs and driveways to reduce the risk of slips and falls.
– Be patient and plan for delays
– USPS says delivery may be delayed or curtailed whenever streets or walkways pose a hazardous condition, and carriers are instructed not to deliver where access is blocked by snow or ice.
– Customers with time‑sensitive items are encouraged to monitor tracking and local alerts, and to understand that weather‑related delays are likely during this storm.
The “no snow nor rain” myth
– Many Americans know the inscription “Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night” from a New York post office, but USPS has no official motto and does suspend delivery for safety in severe weather.
– Postal managers emphasize that while carriers take pride in showing up in tough conditions, safety is paramount when snow and ice block access to mailboxes or make walking and driving genuinely dangerous.
Practical example for Ohio homeowners
For a typical Ohio residential block after a 10–12 inch snowfall, USPS guidance suggests residents should shovel a full‑width path from the sidewalk to the front steps, clear and de‑ice each step, remove the plow pile in front of curbside boxes, and keep the area around the mailbox free of ice, snow and parked cars so carriers can complete their routes without needing to navigate deep drifts or hazardous footing.