Hurricane Irma Aftermath: Operation Blue Roof Offers Temporary Coverings

BRANDON, FL – While Hurricane Irma-affected residents are waiting to have their roofs repaired, the federal government offers a program to help provide temporary roof coverings to avoid further home damage.

Hillsborough County is looking to get the word out to its residents that they may be eligible to have free temporary coverings installed on their homes through Operation Blue Roof.

Operation Blue Roof is a priority mission provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and managed by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers contractors. The program provides fiber-reinforced sheeting and installation to cover damaged roofs for homeowners in disaster areas until arrangements can be made for permanent repairs.

Hillsborough County residents can sign up for the free program at the Seffner-Mango Branch Library, 410 N. Kingsway Road, Seffner, from Sept. 18-22. The library is open Monday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Tuesday from noon to 8 p.m. and Wednesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The program is for primary residences or permanently occupied rental properties with less than 50 percent structural damage. Vacation rental properties are not eligible.

Once the “blue roof” is installed, the structure must be habitable. Roofs made of metal, clay, slate or asbestos tile, or are flat, do not qualify.

Hillsborough County gave the following advice for residents looking to apply to Operation Blue Roof:

• All storm debris must be removed from a roof to qualify.
• Applicants must give permission to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and its agents to access individual properties to install the temporary roof.
• Blue Roof representatives never solicit participation, nor will they ask for Social Security or bank account numbers.
• Corps employees who do assessments for Operation Blue Roof carry U.S. Government ID cards. If you do not see a contractor’s identification, ask for it.
• Representatives from Operation Blue Roof may contact a homeowner to clarify information or location, but they will not ask for sensitive information.
• Pets must be kept inside the property or restrained in order for workers to safely access the roof.

For more information about Operation Blue Roof and eligibility requirements, call (888) ROOF-BLU or visit http://www.usace.army.mil/Missions/Emergency-Operations/National-Response-Framework/Temporary-Roofing.

Image via City of Temple Terrace Facebook page