Winter weather hampers delivery

Over the last few weeks, mail carriers have swaddled themselves in layers, clutched hand-warmers and donned boots with at least 2 inches of tread.

They have walked flat-footed on the snow and ice, and even strapped on metal cleats.

In spite of extra precautions, local carriers have tumbled on icy sidewalks, and sprained their ankles or banged up their backs.

This winter's ongoing barrage of snow, ice and subzero temperatures has caused a range of delivery woes. Orders of pizza, flowers and subs often take longer than normal. Packages have been delayed or gone undelivered for at least a day after U.S. Postal Service carriers confronted stairways that were slicked with ice or so blanketed with snow they could not see where the first step was.

"Snow and ice make delivery dangerous and slow," Hammond Postmaster Harriett Sheppard said. "Maintaining a clear path to the mail box including steps, porches, walkways and street approach will help letter carriers maintain consistent delivery service and help them get letters and packages delivered on time."

Packages can get delayed when ice-slicked highways are shut down and lake-effect snow prompts authorities to issue emergency management orders not to drive, FedEx spokesman Scott Fielder said.

"The safety of our employees is a top priority," he said. "We have engineered processes to deliver on time, but Mother Nature is the wild card. We have 15 meteorologists working around the clock to track weather patterns across the U.S. and use the updates to build contingencies into our operations."

Brutal cold, slick ice and deep blankets of snow have made delivery more difficult this winter. But more people have been huddling inside and placing orders for delivery. Local restaurants have seen a boost in deliveries and have even had to put extra drivers on shift to keep up with demand.

The Original John's Pizzeria in Munster sees a 20 to 40 percent uptick in business whenever it snows, owner Phil Bacino said.

"It's been fantastic for business," he said. "It takes more time to make the delivery, but everyone has been real understanding and nice about it."

The rest is here:
Winter weather hampers delivery