Clock Ticking on Blue Roof Registration

News Release From U.S. Army Corps of Engineers:

AUSTIN, Texas - With this week's first major rainfall since Hurricane Ike, Southeast Texas homeowners who didn't realize their roof was leaking were in for an unpleasant surprise when they found water in their homes.

"We expect a spike in Blue Roof applications after this first big rain," said Col. Christopher Martin, commander of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers recovery field office in Pasadena, Texas. "But we're ready for the increase and look forward to being able to help as many folks as possible with these temporary roof repairs."

Operation Blue Roof is free to eligible applicants.  It is funded through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and managed by the Corps.  Under the program authorized for the disaster recovery, Corps contractors install plastic sheeting as a temporary solution that allows individuals to remain in their residence until they can make more permanent repairs.

To date, the program has installed more than 8,000 temporary roofs throughout the region affected by Hurricane Ike. About 21,000 residents have applied for and qualified for Blue Roofs, which means crews have completed about 40 percent of the roofs to be installed so far.

The last day Texans can sign up for the program is Monday, Oct. 13. The property must be a primary residence or a permanently occupied rental property.  Vacation rental properties are not eligible.

Texas residents can call 1-888-ROOF-BLU (1-888-766-3258) to find the nearest location to sign a Right of Entry form.

Tips for Texans about Operation Blue Roof:

• Qualifications differ. While Operation Blue Roof is funded through FEMA, the qualifications for getting a Blue Roof at your residence have no relation to qualifications for other FEMA assistance. Operation Blue Roof qualifications focus on whether the home is a primary residence and the structural integrity and make up of the roof.

• Beware of solicitations. Homeowners need to visit a Right of Entry collection location to sign up. People going door-to-door to damaged homes or phoning victims and claiming they are with Operation Blue Roof could be frauds.  Blue Roof representatives never solicit participation, nor will they ask for Social Security or bank account numbers.

• Look for identification. Corps employees who do assessments for Operation Blue Roof carry U.S. government ID cards. If you don't see it, ask for it. Contractors who install the Blue Roofs will have a copy of signed Right of Entry form.  No additional form is necessary.

• If you get a call.  Representatives from Operation Blue Roof may call to clarify information or location, but they will not ask for sensitive information.  You will be expected to post the Right of Entry form and restrain animals so that contractors can access your property.

• Don't pay.  Operation Blue Roof is free to residents.  FEMA never charges applicants for disaster assistance, inspections, or help in filling out applications.  The Corps does not charge, either.

• If in doubt. Do not give out information.  Report people claiming to be government workers to local law-enforcement agencies or to the Texas Attorney General Consumer Protection Hotline at 1-800-621-0508. The FEMA Disaster Fraud Hotline is 1-866-720-5721.

• More information about the Hurricane Ike disaster in Texas is available online at www.fema.gov or www.txdps.state.tx.us/dem. Operation Blue Roof information is available at www.swf.usace.army.mil. 

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FEMA coordinates the federal government's role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers manages the Operation Blue Roof program on behalf of FEMA. The program is a free service to help home owners by installing plastic sheeting to serve as temporary roofing on damaged homes.