FedEx, the U.S. Postal Service and UPS reported possible delays and disruptions due to Hurricane Helene as the storm walloped the southern U.S. on Friday.
The powerful storm struck Florida’s northwestern coast on Thursday evening and brought damaging wind gusts and life-threatening flash flooding, according to the National Hurricane Center, and its impact was felt early in the Tampa Bay area.
As of Thursday, FedEx’s ground delivery services were either suspended or had limited service in more than 350 Florida ZIP codes. Affected cities include Tampa, St. Petersburg, Sarasota and Brandenton. Its express services have stopped or limited deliveries in more than 875 ZIP codes across Florida, Georgia and Alabama.
The company’s freight operations either suspended or limited services in more than 1,300 ZIP codes in Florida, Georgia and Alabama.
“Delays and disruptions could be possible for inbound and outbound shipments in affected areas due to local conditions and restrictions,” FedEx said in a Thursday service alert. “Contingency plans are in place to provide service to the best of our ability in areas that can be safely accessed.”
Shipments delayed due to hurricanes and tropical storms aren’t eligible for a refund or credit under FedEx’s money-back guarantee policy, the company said.
For the Postal Service, all delivery and retail operations are suspended until further notice for facilities in the 335, 336, 337, 339, 341, 342 and 346 3-digit zip code areas, the agency said in a notice Wednesday.
The Postal Service suspended operations at four processing and distribution centers in Tampa, Fort Myers and Sarasota. Alternate sites in Orlando could receive drop shipments in their place. Normal operations at the impacted sites were slated to resume at 4 a.m. on Friday.
UPS said on its website that services in Florida may experience delays due to the storm. The carrier's facilities are still providing pickup and delivery services as conditions permit. Its service guarantee doesn't apply to shipments affected by Hurricane Helene.
Editor’s note: This is a developing story and may be updated with more details.
