Operation Blue Roof Helps Those Affected by Ike

October 2, 2008 by
Filed under: Blog Entries, Community, General 

I heard about this group in an email I received a couple of days ago. There are many people in need of help and this is just one of the government sponsored programs out there. Also be careful of the scammers out there because this is a free service. Don’t give out any personal information if you haven’t signed up to hear from them. Please spread the word and for more information call 1-888-766-3258.

source

AUSTIN, Texas — Federal help is available for eligible homeowners whose residences suffered roof damage as a result of Hurricane Ike.

Operation Blue Roof, funded through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), is managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. 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.

The property must be a primary residence or a permanently occupied rental property. Vacation rental properties are not eligible.

“This program is helping some East Texans remain in their homes while they explore permanent repair options,” said State Coordinating Officer Joan Haun.

The number to call is 1-888-ROOF-BLU, 1-888-766-3258. To date, more than 700 Blue Roofs have been installed.

“There is no cost to the homeowner for this program and approved contractors will all have proper identification and paperwork,” said FEMA Federal Coordinating Officer Sandy Coachman. “Unfortunately, we have heard reports that there may be unscrupulous people trying to take advantage.”

Tips for Texans about Operation Blue 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.

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.

 

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Comments

5 Comments on Operation Blue Roof Helps Those Affected by Ike

  1. Paul on Mon, 6th Oct 2008 10:19 am

    2. I am receiving a lot of negative information about unscrupulous contractors encouraging crews from all over the country to come go to work blue tarping. This has created a surpluss of assistance that allows contractors to take advantage of workers/ making unkept promises and not living up to their obligation to pay for work done. Many out of work desparate people are pouring into the state and being ripped off. Fema should look into these concentration camps and disperse the dishonest.

  2. theo.johnson on Mon, 6th Oct 2008 11:44 am

    3. Paul, thanks for leaving a comment. There’s always a chance of something like this happening when times are tough. It’s sad that a company would take advantage of those needing the work.

  3. christina on Thu, 9th Oct 2008 3:29 pm

    4. The guys out there putting up the tarps are having no picnic! I have 3 sons out there doing the work right now: and the conditions are horrible. Sure, they may have went out there for the Job opportunity, (seeing as decent work is hard to come by all over this country, these days), but they know first hand what its like after a hurricane. Our family went through hell after “Jeanne and Francis” here in Florida. They put themselves into debt to get there, they are sleeping in their trucks most nights, going with out showers, aren’t getting enough food and water. They would just like to have a place to pitch their tents and shower each night. These guys work 15+ hours a day and for not that great of pay. And today they called and think they are getting ripped off by the subcontractor the are working for. I have trouble sleeping; worrying about them every night.

  4. theo.johnson on Thu, 9th Oct 2008 4:29 pm

    5. Christina, thanks for sharing. This kind of stuff pisses me off. If you know of anyone else with similar stories feel free to point them here. I’ll see where I need to forward this for it to be seen. I’m sure the agency knows about it, but if it gets in the public eye more I’m hoping someone will do something about it. This is another example of a government program gone wild. You all are teaching me a lot by sharing these stories.

  5. Brandon on Wed, 12th Nov 2008 1:27 pm

    6. Hello,

    I have fallen victim to the discussions listed above. Myself and two other individuals invested allot of time and money into supporting the Blue Roof project in Texas. All we ended up with was bad checks we could not cash. Do not work with anyone remotely involved with the following company.
    ———-BIG FOOT DISASTER RELIEF————. They are as fraudulent as they come and will not return phone calls or explain what the problem is with their checks.

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