Hurricane Helene's devastation has led to extended delays and disruptions for FedEx, UPS and U.S. Postal Service deliveries in the Southeast, concentrated in North Carolina.
The tropical storm led to the deaths of more than 200 people, washed out roads and damaged infrastructure for a wide swath of communities in the region.
For parcel carriers, Hurricane Helene-related delays first emerged in Florida before the storm moved on a destructive path north. Disruptions to delivery operations are still occurring a week after the storm made landfall.
FedEx's express and ground delivery operations had limited to no service for nearly 600 ZIP codes in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Tennessee, according to the company's website Friday morning. The company’s freight operations had limited to no service in more than 300 ZIP codes in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Florida.
UPS warned of potential delivery delays in two ZIP codes in North Carolina – 28720 and 28746 – as of Friday morning, down from 69 ZIP codes in the state on Thursday, per its website.
"While UPS facilities are providing pickup and delivery services as conditions permit, some delays are possible," the company said.
Service guarantees from UPS and FedEx do not apply to delays spurred by weather events like Hurricane Helene.
The Postal Service said earlier this week that all delivery and retail operations for facilities in North Carolina's 286, 287, 288 and 289 ZIP codes were suspended until further notice due to Hurricane Helene's impact. Additionally, no drop shipments will be accepted at 39 Postal Service facilities in the state due to operations being suspended.
"We will open as soon as conditions are safe," the agency said.
