The Press Stories
Update! 7:25 pm: Back in business tomorrow
According to David Rupert, USBS ‘strategic communications manager, Brookings’ U.S. The post office will be back in business tomorrow, December 3rd.
After a visual inspection, real-time air monitoring and a complete overhaul of the environmental hazards caused by mercury leakage from a package, the post office is now considered safe for staff and customers.
Update! 3:30 p.m., Dec.
According to David Rupert, USBS ‘strategic communications manager, an environmental hazard is a trace amount of mercury leaked from an improperly sent package.
As of 3:15 p.m., the December 2 crew was still engaged in the task of completing the cleaning and testing.
“It’s great,” Rupert said. He will provide an update after 7pm when work is expected to be completed.
According to Rupert, Brookings Mail was delivered today. Postal carriers arrived at the Gold Beach Post Office early in the morning to sort the mail for delivery locally. Unfortunately, PO boxes are not available to customers today.
Update! Dec. 2 at 8:55 p.m.
According to David Rupert, Strategic Communications Manager at USPS, Brookings Mail will be delivered today. Mail carriers currently order mail for delivery locally at Gold Beach Post Office.
Unfortunately, PO Boxes are not available to customers today.
If you need to send a package today, the nearest post office is Smith River, CA.
Rupert said environmental cleanup teams from Northern California and Portland arrived at the Brookings Post Office at 2 a.m. today. Mercury leakage from a package sent improperly. Cleaning is going on now. Surfaces and air are tested, and they check to see how much mercury was in the package and how much is missing. Rupert described it as a “small amount.”
“We’re bringing in the best,” Rupert said. “We have to protect the public, we have to protect the staff. The post office was closed with great caution.”
Rupert apologized for the inconvenience, saying the post office would not reopen today.
Rupert expects to know the amount of cleanup at 1pm today, and we will update this story with new information.
News from USB received at 8:34 am:
Temporary postal closure. Retail, post office box and delivery operations at Brookings Post Office, located at 711 Spruce St., have been temporarily suspended due to a leak of improper mail package containing mercury. This is an emergency suspension of this office, not a permanent closure. Further details on the reopening of this office will be provided when available. “The safety of our employees and customers is paramount,” Postmaster Yvonne Huston said. “We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause our customers. We are trying to find a solution as soon as possible. www.usps.com.
The Brookings Post Office was abruptly closed at about 2:30 pm today.
Emergency suspension of office is not a permanent closure.
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