Employee Dedication After Irma

The above photo of Ochopee Clerk Shannon Mitchell was featured on the front page of the San Francisco Chronicle.  Mitchell is shown preparing mail for delivery after Hurricane Irma.  Despite the loss of her home and being without electrical power and running water, Mitchell reported to work to keep her community connected through the mail.  The Ochopee Post Office, the smallest Post Office in the nation, survived Hurricane Irma, and received media coverage around the nation. Photo: Alan Diaz, AP 

Post Offices in Highland County were able to fuel up their vehicles (above) when the Suncoast District Emergency Management Team arranged for a tanker to be at the Sebring Main Post Office.  “Fueling vehicles after Hurricane Irma was a task in itself. Thanks to MPOO George Miller; Lake Jackson Manager Customer Services Tad Perry; and Sebring Supervisor Customer Services Erica West for notifying all of the Post Offices in Highlands County to come to the Sebring Main Post Office to fuel up,” said Avon Park Postmaster Tonya Schmidt.  “Few gas stations in Highland County were open and the lines at open gas stations were up to four hours long.  I was worried we may not have had enough fuel to deliver in some areas.  Thank goodness for the Suncoast Team.” 

Following Hurricane Irma, Avon Park Rural Carrier Shari Kersci-McKee delivered mail (see LLV, left) to customers in the Crystal Lake Club community.  Kersci-McKee said she was determined to deliver the medications and mail to every delivery that was safely accessible.

Avon Park Letter Carrier Tracy Bornemann (above) is shown delivering mail along a downtown route where some customers’ homes were totally destroyed and marked with an “X” by FEMA.

An Avon Park employee (above right) loads mail after the Post Office lost electrical power due to Hurricane Irma. “For several days we used a generator that only ran part of the lights on the workroom floor.  Our employees worked in near darkness to ensure delivery to our customers,” said Postmaster Tonya Schmidt.  “Checks and medication were coming through the mail and customers were so appreciative.  I am so proud of the Avon Park Team for their dedication and commitment, despite the personal impacts they experienced from the hurricane.”  

The photos above and below show East Naples employees sorting, preparing and loading mail in the parking lot of the East Naples Carrier Annex after Hurricane Irma caused a large section of the roof to be completely ripped away.

“With no electrical power, every truck was unloaded by hand.  Our employees did not complain and they worked safely throughout the challenging days,” said Naples Postmaster Richard Barber.  “Our customers benefited from this teamwork and many customers took the time to express their thanks to the Postal Service.”

  

Thanks to all Suncoast District employees for your dedication and focus on safety and customer service!