ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — If you thought about online shopping as a way to avoid the long lines at grocery stores, you might be out of luck.
Shipping operations have been temporarily suspended to Buncombe County because of the lack of safe roads. Here are the latest updates from the largest delivery providers.
The United States Postal Service (USPS) website states, “Hurricane Helene, flooding, and severe weather events in [North Carolina] may impact the processing, transportation, and delivery of mail and packages. Please allow additional time for final delivery of your item.
“All retail and delivery operations for facilities [in Buncombe County] are temporarily suspended until further notice due to Hurricane Helene impacts,” the website informs. There is no timeline listed for the return of shipping services.
Some of Amazon’s fulfillment centers have been temporarily shuttered because of the storm’s effects. In a statement, Amazon said, “Due to the severe weather conditions, Amazon is prioritizing the safety of its teams while working urgently to deliver aid. We have thousands of employees in communities affected by the storm and as such our operations buildings were closed to ensure employee safety.”
On package deliveries, the online store informed shoppers, “… with the temporary closing of some Amazon facilities, and likely damage to roads and other infrastructure, there may be impacts to customers in the region… We will adjust delivery estimates as the storm’s impact becomes clearer, so customers can have the most accurate information on when their packages will arrive.”
UPS is informing clients, “Severe weather, natural disasters, and other conditions beyond our control can occasionally delay or disrupt our UPS services.” As of Oct. 1, all of Buncombe County was listed as “Service Impacted by Post-Tropical Cyclone Helene.”
The parcel processing company wrote, “Contingency plans are in place to help ensure that shipments arrive at their final destinations as quickly as possible. Note that the UPS Service Guarantee does not apply to shipments affected by this weather event. The postal codes above will not receive pickup or delivery services today.”
The Service Alerts page on FedEx’s website states, “Delays and disruptions are possible for inbound and outbound shipments in affected areas due to local conditions and restrictions. Contingency plans have been activated to provide service to the best of our ability in areas that can be safely accessed.”
