Surge Seen In Jefferson County Blue Roof Applications 

Release Date: November 4, 2005
Release Number: 1606-057

» More Information on Texas Hurricane Rita

AUSTIN, Texas -- Based on unexpected volume, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) expects to do 10,000 more Blue Roofs than were originally anticipated in early assessments. The lion’s share of the new demand comes from Jefferson County residents.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), which funds the Operation Blue Roof program, gives homeowners free, temporary roof protection from further rainwater damage. USACE administers the program, hiring contractors to install heavy duty plastic sheeting to patch damage.

After Hurricane Rita struck Southeast Texas, a multi-agency disaster assessment team originally estimated a need for almost 20,000 Blue Roofs in the 22-county disaster area, with 2,250 identified in Jefferson County. However, changes in weather, more public awareness of the program, and a reduced number of roofing contractors to make repairs are believed to have created a larger backlog of homes in the program.

To date, some 11,722 applications have been received from Jefferson County homeowners in USACE Right-of-Entry (ROE) Collection Centers. Homeowners must sign ROE forms to allow inspectors to enter private property to determine eligibility of the residence for a Blue Roof.

About 15-20 percent of applicants will be disqualified. To qualify, homes must be structurally sound, not have flat roofs, and have roof damage less than 50 percent. Fallen trees must be removed from the roof. Properties deemed eligible are placed in a queue for distribution to contractors. Once the contractor’s work is done, the Corps again visits the site to assure the quality of the work.

To date, 3,831 Blue Roofs have been completed in Jefferson County.

Updated information on Blue Roof signup and registration information is available by calling 1-888-ROOF-BLU (1-888-766-3258) or by visiting any of the ROE Collection Centers listed below:

RIGHT-OF-ENTRY SITES

Jasper County
Jasper, TX
Wal-Mart
800 W. Gibson

Buna, Texas
Kaines Grocery Store
Hwy. 62@ Bond Loop

Jefferson County
Beaumont, TX
Parkdale Mall
6155 Eastex Frwy.
FEMA Disaster Recovery Center
5545 Eastex Frwy.
Sutherland Lumber Co.
4545 College St.

Port Arthur, TX
Wal-Mart - Twin City
4999 N. Twin City Hwy.
Wal-Mart
8585 Memorial blvd.

Nederland
St. Charles Catholic Church
120 S. 27th St.@Nederland Ave.

Liberty County
Liberty, TX
Wal-Mart
2801 N. Main

Galveston County
Galveston, TX
Home Depot, 702 65th St.

Crystal Beach, TX
Gulf Coast Market
2385 Hwy 124

Tyler County
Woodville, TX
Wal-Mart
1495 S. Magnolia St.
South Hwy. 69

Polk County
Livingston, TX
Dunbar Gym, 1103 Dunbar

Angelina County
Diboll
City Hall, 400 Kenley St (U.S. 59)

Hardin County
Silsbee, TX
Wal-Mart Super Center
Intersection of Hwy. 96 and SH 327

Chambers County
Winnie, TX
Chambers County Library
Hwy. 124 and Chestnut St.

Orange County
Orange, TX
Luby’s Cafeteria
4040 Lutcher
I-10 and FM 3247 (Parking Lot)
Walgreens
4930 Gulfport

Bridge City, TX
Wal-Mart
795 Texas Ave.

Vidor, TX
Wal-Mart
1350 N Main St.

Lumberton
Wal-Mart
100 N. LHS DR. US Hwy 69
Walgreens
1408 N. 16th Street

Bridge City, TX
Wal-Mart
795 Texas Ave.

FEMA prepares the nation for all hazards and manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates mitigation activities, trains first responders, works with state and local emergency managers, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration. FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003.

Last Modified: Friday, 04-Nov-2005 17:21:56