"Blue Roof" Program Can Provide Tarps for Damaged Roofs at No Cost

The Florida Division of Emergency Management has announced the opening of Operation Blue Roof, which will provide and install a tarp on roofs damaged during the passage of Hurricane Milton.

Courtesy FEMA

Trained installers will place a tarp over any damaged roof at no cost to the occupant as part of the federal response to Hurricane Milton disaster declarations.

Operation Blue Roof is a program offered by FEMA through the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to eligible homeowners and landlords. It provides a temporary covering of blue plastic sheeting to help reduce further damage to property until permanent repairs can be made.

The blue plastic sheeting is installed using strips of wood that are secured to the roof with nails or screws. The homeowner/landlord must legally agree to allow the Corps contractors access to the property by signing a Right of Entry (ROE) form.

The program is funded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and is a free service for homeowners and permanently occupied rental properties, providing fiber-reinforced, industrial-strength sheeting to protect storm-damaged roofs until homeowners can make permanent repairs.

Eligible Polk County residents can apply for this no-cost service through Nov. 5 by visiting blueroof.gov, calling 888-ROOF-BLU (888-766-3258), or visiting a Right of Entry (ROE) collection center.

ROE collection center locations are listed on blueroof.gov, and these are sites where residents can sign up for Blue Roof assistance using an ROE form, which gathers information about the residence.