BOILING SPRING LAKES, N.C. (WECT) - For Erin Bonello's son's 10th birthday, she said she had nothing to give him.
"The last time we got mail was last Tuesday," Bonello said. "And it's just been really bad timing because we have a birthday, a big birthday in our family, ten years old."
Bonello's son Leo's birthday was on Tuesday. She had purchased gifts for him online but because of ongoing issues with mail delivery in Boiling Spring Lakes, none of those gifts got to her house on time.
"I mean there's so many things that people rely on that come through the mail," Bonello said.
She recognized that her issue was considered small in the grand scheme of things. Bonello said she felt sorry for her neighbors who rely on medications that come in through the mail.
Todd Ausborn, who lives just up the road from Bonello, said it's been a problem for his neighbors.
"Some people are on life-managing medications and heart medications," Ausborn said. "Most health insurance companies want you to do their online pharmacies now. So, in doing that, they're not getting those prescriptions now."
When WECT crews visited the post office in Southport, which handles deliveries in Boiling Spring Lakes, there was a sign inside which read:
"ATTENTION POSTAL CUSTOMERS: Due to the effects of Cyclone 8 on 9/16/24, mail delivery has been interrupted for the past week. We apologize for the inconvenience, but please know that the postal service is doing everything it can to resume delivery back to normal. We have postmasters and mail carriers from other offices assisting in delivering the mail that has been delayed due to the storm. Again, we apologize for the inconvenience."
"There were people that said it took an hour and a half just to get from Southport to BSL and it's a 10-minute drive," Ausborn said. "But that was because of all the detours and 211 being shut down and all."
211 in Southport reopened two weeks ago, though.
The USPS communications director for North Carolina told us:
"Boiling Spring Lakes residents should be receiving daily mail delivery, sometimes it may be later in the day than usual. Approximately two weeks ago, delivery was sporadic in the area for a few days due to unforeseen circumstances, however, daily delivery has returned. We take customer concerns seriously and local postal management has been closely monitoring delivery in this area. Customers with questions about their delivery can reach a postal representative by calling 1-800-ASK-USPS. We thank customers for their understanding and continued support."
Bonello said she still has not received her son's birthday presents.
"I know it's a hard job, so I hate to complain too much, but a week is a long time," Bonello said.
We also heard reports of some people not receiving the absentee ballots they requested. If this applies to you, you should reach out to your county's board of elections.