Miami-Dade County Residents Eligible For Temporary Roof Coverings

MIAMI, FL — Miami-Dade residents who fell victim to the damaging winds of Hurricane Irma can begin taking advantage of a free government program that provides temporary roof coverings starting on Monday. The program has already been underway in other parts of Florida. Vacation rental properties are not eligible.

Miami-Dade County residents can sign up for Operation Blue Roof beginning on Monday at the Right of Entry Center located at Lowe's Home Improvement, 1850 NE 8th St. in Homestead.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency program is managed by contractors for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. All approved contractors carry U.S. government-issued identification and never ask for payment directly from homeowners.

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Operation Blue Roof provides fiber-reinforced sheeting and installation to cover damaged roofs for homeowners in disaster areas until arrangements can be made for permanent repairs. (For more hurricane news or local news from Florida, click here to sign up for real-time news alerts and newsletters from Miami Patch, and click here to find your local Florida Patch. If you have an iPhone, click here to get the free Patch iPhone app.)

Residents are asked to bring a driver’s license or other proof of residency. They will be asked a series of questions to determine eligibility. The program is for primary residences or permanently occupied rental properties with less than 50 percent structural damage.

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.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers representatives will visit the applicant’s property to assess the damage, and if approved, the Corps will install the temporary roof. Storm debris must be removed from the roof before the temporary roof will be installed.

Eligibility Requirements:

1. The structure is the primary residence of the individual or household requesting emergency roof covering; AND
2. The residence has sufficient roof framing intact (more than 50%) to support the plastic sheeting as a temporary repair, and will otherwise be capable of providing safe shelter once the plastic sheeting is installed; AND
3. The resident certifies that he or she is the owner of the residence requested to be covered OR is a renter that has obtained legal permission to continue occupying the residence until more permanent repairs are made; AND
4. The resident certifies that he or she will shelter in the residence requested to be covered; AND
5. The roof to be repaired is composed of standard roof shingles, or a similar material which lends itself towards temporary repair with plastic sheeting or similar method. Metal roofs will be repaired as practical on a case by case basis. Roofs composed of materials such as slate, asbestos or clay tile, or other material which would be exceptionally difficult to repair, or likely to be damaged, shall not be roofed. Mobile Homes will be assessed on a case by case basis and will be covered if practicable.

Useful Tips

• Beware of solicitations: Operation Blue Roof representatives never solicit participation. They will not ask for bank account numbers or Social Security numbers.
• Look for ID: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers contractors who do assessments for Operation Blue Roof carry U.S. Government ID cards. If one is not visible, ask for it. Contractors are required to carry a copy of a signed Right of Entry form.
• Secure pets: Homeowners with pets who have submitted Right of Entry forms should ensure pets are placed inside or restrained away from the structure to all workers to have safe access to the roof.
• Phone calls: Representatives from Operation Blue Roof may call applicants to clarify information or location. They will not ask for sensitive information.
• Don’t pay: Operation Blue Roof is a free service.

If you suspect fraud, contact local law enforcement or the FEMA Disaster Fraud Hotline at (866) 720-5721.

For more information on Operation Blue Roof and eligibility requirements, call (800) ROOF-BLU or visit http://www.usace.army.mil/Missions/Emergency-Operations/National-Response-Framework/Temporary-Roofing.

Patch's Amanda Lamela contributed to this article.

Photo courtesy of FEMA/1st Lt. Kenneth Bolton