National Postal Museum

POSTAL INSPECTORS: THE SILENT SERVICE
An Exhibit at the Smithsonian National Postal Museum
February 7, 2007 - February 28, 2009


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	Home

	The Silent Service

	Postal Crime

	Silent but Effective

	Surveyor-Inspector

	Robbing the Mail

	Unexpected Duties

	Bombs in the Mail

	You Solve the Case

	Don't Be a Victim

	In Memoriam

	Protecting You Now
	Hurricane Katrina

	Resources

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HURRICANE KATRINA

	Inspector by sign for Sabine Pass, Texas, Post Office click to enlarge		Inspectors armed getting into helicopter click to enlarge

Image: Inspector by sign for Sabine Pass, Texas, Post Office

Only weeks after Katrina devastated much of the Gulf coast, hurricane Rita swept ashore along the Texas-Louisiana border. This photograph shows what remained of the Sabine Pass, Texas, Post Office after Rita passed through the town.

Courtesy of Allen L. McHenry

Image: Inspectors armed getting into helicopter

Postal inspectors needed to use a helicopter to reach postal facilities in the more heavily damaged areas of the Gulf coast. The inspectors were charged with first securing registered mail, which could also be a target for thieves taking advantage of post-storm chaos.

Courtesy of Allen L. McHenry

Postal inspectors respond to any disaster, man-made or natural, in which the sanctity of the U.S. mail or the safety of postal employees is threatened. In late August and early September 2005, postal inspectors were among the thousands of Americans toiling in the chaos left by hurricane Katrina.

In the days following the storm, Postal inspectors—many homeless themselves—worked to locate and secure registered and first class mail in devastated areas. They worked with other postal employees to match valuable mail, such as social security checks, with recipients. Inspectors worked with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children after the disaster, using “change of address” forms to track down and reunite separated family members.

Inspectors trudge through the mud surrounding the St. Bernard, Louisiana, Post Office click to enlarge		Inspector by upturned semi truck click to enlarge

Image: Inspectors trudge through the mud surrounding the St. Bernard, Louisiana, Post Office.

Following the storm, inspectors were charged with evaluating each post office in the area. This post office was able to reopen later that fall.

Courtesy of Allen L. McHenry

Image: Inspector by upturned semi truck

Trucks carrying mail are familiar sights on highways across the country. Hurricane Katrina tossed this heavy truck into a tree as though it were a toy.

Courtesy of Allen L. McHenry

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