United States Postal Service carrier Fateyva Miles has been a mail carrier in the Houston area for the past 3 years. She moved to the city from Michigan.
“I kinda don’t like the flooding, but I love Houston,” says Miles.
Postal workers in Miles’ Scarsdale delivery area have been off for four days due to Harvey and its aftermath. Due to the overwhelming pileup of mail, carriers like her are currently delivering mail on weekends and holidays.
“I think my route is the most affected out of the entire station. They kind of feel bad for me. But seeing these people makes me appreciate… You know, I didn’t get affected. And this is bad. This is really bad,” she says.
Miles walks her delivery route wearing a face mask to protect her from the mold and fiberglass insulation particles that are in the air due to flooding and subsequent home demolition. The doors of homes stand open as homeowners attempt to air them out.
“[W]hen I’m walking, I’m in between them throwing [the insulation] out, so that stuff flies back at me. I go home with stuff in my hair, and I have to wash it every day. So that’s not fun!”
Though she’s doing the same job and the same route post-Harvey, she has to watch her step.
“But I’ve gotta do it!” says Miles.