U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Launch Blue Roof Program for Temporary Repairs

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA (FLV) – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has tasked the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers with helping qualified homeowners with interim roof repairs. Beginning on Oct. 3, the Operation Blue Roof program will offer a temporary blue roof composed of fiber-reinforced sheeting to assist prevent further property damage until long-term fixes can be done. 

For homeowners, Operation Blue Roof offers a free service. Charlotte and Lee counties have been named as the affected areas. The first sign-up session will last for 21 days, ending on Oct. 23.

Residents impacted by Hurricane Ian can sign up at Blueroof.us. Here, you can fill out a Right of Entry (ROE) form to apply for Blue Roof help while providing details about your home. The ROE is a legal document that gives Corps employees permission to enter your property and evaluate the damage to your home. The ROE also permits hired teams to perform roof maintenance.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is in charge of the priority mission Operation Blue Roof. It safeguards property, lowers the expense of temporary accommodation, and enables residents to stay in their houses as they recover from the storm. Primary residences or rental properties that are continuously occupied and have less than 50% structural damage are eligible under this program. Vacation rental properties are not eligible for this program.

The building is deemed habitable once the blue roof is installed. Not all kinds of roofs are eligible for the program. Flat, metal, clay, slate, or asbestos tile roofs are ineligible, as are roofs built of these materials. The roof needs to be free of any storm debris to qualify.

Residents can also call toll free 1-888-ROOF-BLU (1-888-766-3258) for more information.