Mail pickup at Moss Street, downtown, Moss Bluff

By Warren Arceneaux
American Press

Lake Charles area residents can pick up mail at the main U.S. Post Office branch on Moss Street, the Eastside branch at Main and Broad Streets and the Moss Bluff branch.

All branches will be open 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Retail services such as stamps will be available at all branches. Incoming Express Mail services have been suspended. Outgoing express mail may still be sent out, but may not be guaranteed.

Residents with the 70601 ZIP code can pick up all mail at the main post office, located at 921 Moss St. Residents with other ZIP codes may pick up government checks, such as those from FEMA, unemployment checks or the Social Security Administration at the main, Eastside and Moss Bluff branches.

P.O. box mail at the main branch and Moss Bluff branch is available.

The Drew Station branch on Lake Street suffered extensive damage and will not open in the foreseeable future. An alternate location is being sought.

Postmaster Elizabeth Inman said local mail is being held at various undisclosed postal locations throughout the region until delivery can resume. No timetable has been set for resumption of delivery.

“That will depend on the availability of carriers, as well as their safety, conditions in the area and safety of the mail,” Inman said. “There are many people that are not in the area now. We do not want to leave important mail in unattended boxes.

‘‘We only have 50 of 310 employees here. We may be able to start delivery in some areas quicker than others. It will likely be limited delivery to start. We may have to incorporate a rotation of which neighborhoods we deliver to each day. We are still trying to work out a plan. We are looking at all possibilities.”