Postal carriers in and around the Lake Tahoe area are having a hard time delivering mail because they can’t reach mailboxes.

Carriers were unable to deliver to approximately 500 addresses in the last week because side streets were impassable or mailboxes were inaccessible in Truckee, Incline Village, Crystal Village and South Lake Tahoe.

The U.S. Postal Service offers this advice:

•       If you receive delivery of mail to a rural-type post mailbox, clear around the box to allow your carrier to drive up to the box, deposit mail and drive away.

•          If your delivery is at a cluster box, work with your neighbors to clear around the front of the box and the back of the box where the carrier accesses the box to load.

•       If your mail is delivered at your residence or business, keep the path to your mailbox or slot clear of snow and ice.