Cold, Snow Delays Some Evanston Mail

Frigid temperatures and accumulated snow slowed some Evanston residents' mail on Monday and Tuesday, according to a spokesperson for the U.S. Postal Service.

While carriers continued to deliver mail on Monday and Tuesday, they were limited to just first-class mail, which includes bills and personal correspondence, according to spokesperson Sean Hargadon. Carriers did not deliver standard mail (advertisements and circulars), and that may have resulted in light deliveries or no deliveries at all for some customers. 

Postal carriers were limited due to the dangerous cold, according to Hargadon. He said customers should expect to see more mail coming through the rest of the week. 

While the cold snap has lifted, black ice and snow accumulation still makes it dangerous for mail carriers, he added. Residents can help by clearing all ice and snow from the pathway to their mailbox. 

After we asked readers whether they noticed a delay in mail delivery, multiple people responded on Facebook to say that they had. 

"Yes!!! We are expecting a check in the mail that should have been here on MONDAY," wrote Kristin Kutzner Huzar, who added that she had received no mail whatsoever on Monday or Tuesday, and just a few items on Wednesday. 

"Christmas package from my mom (in Hawaii) sent on December 17 was FINALLY delivered yesterday," commented Keenan Kamalani Kamae. "Really??"

Cynthia Martin, however, was pleased with the service to her neighborhood. 

"I live in northwest Evanston and have had mail every day," she said. "Was very impressed."

"Two deliveries yesterday after nothing Mon/Tues," posted Shahna Richman. "I value the safety of my mail carriers more than speedy delivery, so no problems here." 

"I'm amazed to get any mail at all, esp Monday - talked a bit with the carrier at the door on Tuesday and they were having a tough time with the streets a mess, temps below zero, and a lot of unshoveled sidewalks," wrote Ric Hudgens. "We still got mail every day. I'm in south Evanston." 

"We did not get mail for 3 days," wrote Nancy Kohn Hoppa. "Talked to our post girl yesterday she said a lot of people called off and they were all told to return by 4:00. She said there were a lot of us that got frost bite. Let's give them a break."