Chuck Edwards

MARSHALL - Rep. Chuck Edwards said the U.S. Postal Service should soon have a more detailed plan on how it proposes to reopen four of its locations that were forced to close after Tropical Storm Helene.

Edwards, who represents North Carolina's 11th Congressional District, told the Citizen Times during an April 6 visit to Marshall that he met with Postmaster General David Steiner and is pressing him to issue a plan to reopen the Marshall, Green Mountain, Micaville and Fleetwood post offices, all of which have been closed since September 2024.

The U.S. Postal Service announced in May 2025 the former Marshall location, at 100 S. Main Street downtown, would be permanently closed after it was heavily damaged in Helene.

When Helene hit the region on Sept. 27, 2024, heavy rains caused catastrophic flooding of many rivers, including the French Broad, which devastated Marshall, destroying homes, roads, bridges and businesses. Helene killed more than 100 people and caused nearly $60 billion in damage across the state.

Edwards said he helped lead an amendment in 2025 to the state's Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Bill for Fiscal Year 2026 that will direct the USPS to produce a plan on how it will reopen closed facilities and reestablish service in Western North Carolina.

The written plan is due back to Edwards by May 4, he said, adding that he also met with Steiner in March.

"I understand that dynamics don't allow for quick decisions. In some cases, we've got landlords that haven't decided if they want to rebuild and repair," Edwards said. "As a minimum, we need to be looking at restoring services in those five communities."

The News-Record & Sentinel reported earlier in April that a potential short-term solution for the Marshall post office was in danger of falling through.

The temporary location was meant to be on Elizabeth Lane in a modular office space. A number of concerns, including traffic safety, has put the plan in jeopardy.

Edwards said he recommended to Steiner that one possibility for temporary facilities is the operation of mobile units.

Steiner said in a March 30 letter to Edwards the USPS is "evaluating its options" regarding Edwards' mobile units suggestion.

"We are delivering measurable progress on the costs that we can control through modernization, transportation adjustments, labor alignment and revenue-growth initiatives," Steiner said in the letter.

"However, the majority of our accounting losses stem from non-controllable expenses that act as a significant anchor on the organization — one we cannot lift on our own. That is why we need your help."

Edwards said his goal is "to turn the rhetoric into action."

"It's time for us to see action for the post office," he said.

Johnny Casey is the Madison County communities reporter for The Citizen Times and The News-Record & Sentinel. He can be reached at 828-210-6074 or [email protected].