Post Office Sets Up Central Location for for East River Area Flood-Displaced Customers

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By Becky Ogann

Story Created: Jun 18, 2008 at 2:25 PM CST

Story Updated: Jun 18, 2008 at 2:25 PM CST

CEDAR RAPIDS – In an effort to more quickly deliver mail to customers in flood-ravaged Iowa, U.S. Postal Service officials announced that beginning Thursday June 19, displaced customers in the East River area who did not receive mail at their home on Wednesday June 18, can pick up their mail at a central distribution point located at 2315 Mt. Vernon Rd. SE, 52403. The hours will be 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. Monday thru Friday, and 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Letter carriers will continue to deliver where they have access, and where it is safe to do so.

The agency is encouraging any displaced customers who do not expect to return to their home in the near future, to file a temporary Change-of-Address (COA). “The quickest and easiest method for filing a COA is electronically,” said Cedar Rapids Postmaster Paula Prochazka. “The Postal Service must know where our displaced customers want to receive their mail.” The temporary location on Mt Vernon Rd. will be staffed to assist customers changing their address online and/or with a USPS COA form.

Displaced customers in the West River area, who have been picking up their mail at the West Station Post Office, should continue to do so. Pick up times at the West Station Post Office, located at 1930 Wiley Blvd. SW, 52404, are 11 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., Monday thru Friday, and 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

Here are some helpful tips for customers who need their mail redirected from their home address:
• Customers can submit a domestic COA request from any personal computer with access to the Internet. Displaced customers without Internet access can receive computer assistance at NE and West Station Post Offices, and at several local shelters.
• Displaced customers can file a temporary COA, which is good for up to six months. Mail can be forwarded to a temporary address, a friend or relative’s address, or to a local shelter.
• Post Office Boxes also are available at area Post Offices. Standard PO Box rental rates apply.
• Customers can request the Cedar Rapids Post Office to place their mail on hold for up to 30 days.

An electronic COA adds security and convenience and is available at http://www.MoversGuide.com, or by calling 1-800-ASK-USPS (1-800-275-8777). As a security precaution, customers are required to have a valid e-mail address and a valid credit or debit card for identity validation before the COA can be processed. Customers will be charged a $1.00 verification fee upon successful confirmation of the COA request.

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