City of Sarasota Announces Operation Blue Roof Program in Response to Hurricane Ian

City of Sarasota Announces Operation Blue Roof Program in Response to Hurricane Ian

Operation Blue Roof is a free service to homeowners. The counties that have been identified are Charlotte, Lee and Sarasota. The initial sign-up period will end on Oct. 23.

Post Date:  10/05/2022, 11:00 AM

Media Contact: Jan Thornburg, Sr. Communications Manager, 941-263-6369, jan.thornburg@sarasotafl.gov

                            Muffy Lavens, Public Relations Supervisor, muffy.lavens@sarasotafl.gov

Sarasota, FL: The Army Corp of Engineers has been tasked by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to establish the Operation Blue Roof program to assist eligible homeowners in the City of Sarasota with temporary roof repairs. The Operation Blue Roof program will provide a temporary blue covering with fiber-reinforced sheeting to help reduce further damage to property until permanent repairs can be made.

Operation Blue Roof is a free service to homeowners. The counties that have been identified are Charlotte, Lee and Sarasota. The initial sign-up period will end on Oct. 23.

Residents impacted by Hurricane Ian can sign up at blueroof.us. Here, you can sign up for Blue Roof assistance using a Right of Entry (ROE) form, which gathers information about your residence. The ROE is a legal document that allows Corps workers to access your property and assess your home's damage. The ROE also allows contracted crews to work on your roof.

Operation Blue Roof is a priority mission managed by the U.S. Army Corps Engineers. It protects property, reduces temporary housing costs, and allows residents to remain in their homes while recovering from the storm. This program is for primary residences or a permanently occupied rental property with less than 50 percent of the roof framing damaged. Vacation rental properties are not eligible for this program.

After the blue roof is installed, the structure is declared habitable. Not all roof types qualify for the program. Roofs that are flat or made of metal or clay, slate, or asbestos tile do not qualify. All storm debris must be removed for the roof to qualify.

Residents can also call toll free 1-888-ROOF-BLU (1-888-766-3258) for more information. The call center will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern. The website is available 24/7.

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About the City of Sarasota:  Distinguished by U.S. News and World Report as one of the top 10 Best Places to Live in the U.S. and the number one place in Florida, the City of Sarasota is a diverse and inclusive community located on Florida’s Suncoast with 56,000 year-round residents, several internationally recognized cultural arts venues, stunning sunsets along Lido Beach and Major League spring training baseball with the Baltimore Orioles. Learn more about us at www.SarasotaFL.Gov