Surrounded by an organized jumble of equipment and supplies, Diane Roy, Gays Mills Post Master, serves customers from their temporary location in the Gays Mills Mercantile Building. 

Rising flood waters prompted a frantic move to higher ground at 4 am on Sunday. 

“We moved everything, so we’re full service,” Roy said.  All the postal operations are up and running as usual.  Customers can mail packages, buy stamps, and use other services.  There are bins placed in front of the entrance for outgoing mail, so customers can make a drop off even if the space is closed, Roy said.

Service hours remain 7 am to 4 pm and Roy is keeping the office opened during the lunch hour of noon to 1 pm.

Postal operations will remain in the Mercantile building at least through the week. 

“We’ll be here until it’s safe to go back,” Roy said. Roy will consult with local officials and the emergency services to determine when the office will return to the post office building. 

Through the turmoil of the move and temporary operations, Roy can’t say yet how this will affect their permanent location. 

The landlord of their current building has expressed interest in constructing a new facility, but there is no plan at this point, Roy said.

“It’s all up to the postal facilities, the landlord, and the flood recovery coordinator,” Roy said.  

There are many people to thank for handling the sudden move to temporary quarters, Roy said.  Aaron Fortney organized the fire and EMS departments to haul equipment.  Roy is also thankful to the village and Jim Chellavold for their hospitality in providing space and assistance, and to Richland Grant Telephone Cooperative for re-establishing their internet service.