DVIDS – News – Mobile District organizes Operation Blue Roof deployment

In response to the damage caused by Hurricane Milton, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has launched an extensive and innovative Operation Blue Roof mission, providing critical assistance to affected homeowners.

This program, administered by USACE on behalf of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, provides free temporary roofing solutions to families whose homes were damaged during the storm. By installing fibre-reinforced sheets over affected roofs, the initiative will help protect property, allowing residents to remain in their homes while organizing permanent repairs.

“Hurricane Milton’s devastating winds and rain have left thousands of homes vulnerable to further damage along the Gulf Coast and Southeast,” said Dan Jones, USACE Omaha District hydraulic engineer. “Without immediate protection, these homes risked additional exposure to the elements, leading to long-term structural damage.”

The Blue Roof Management System and Geographic Information System technology have changed the way USACE handles emergency response. This technology has significantly improved efficiency.

“It used to be that everything was paper-based and very dependent on the soil,” Jones explains. “Now we can start assessments within hours of a storm, helping people get back home faster. We used to spend all day on the ground and could only make a few assessments. But now we can complete hundreds in just a few days, allowing contractors to install roofs much faster.”

In addition to the speed of response, personal interactions with homeowners remain an important part of the program.

“Once we get on site and start talking to homeowners one-on-one, many are incredibly grateful for our help,” Jones said. “This personal interaction is one of the main reasons we get so many volunteers for the Blue Roof program.”

To further speed up the process, a team of 20 USACE employees have been deployed to conduct remote assessments using advanced technology. The team works out of the Mobile District headquarters to facilitate the program.

“Our volunteers come from all corners of the Corps, from engineers, contracting specialists, emergency management and district offices across the country,” said Joe Evans, USACE Omaha District construction representative. “We are one team with one purpose: to help those in need. It is inspiring to see how different parts of the force come together to make a real difference when it matters most.”

These volunteers use aerial imagery, satellite data and drones to quickly assess damaged property. This allows them to prioritize homes that need immediate attention and deploy repair crews more efficiently. This approach is constructive in areas inaccessible due to flooding or storm debris, and ensures essential assistance reaches affected homeowners as quickly as possible.

“We are using the Blue Roof Management System and GIS technology to compare aerial imagery from before and after the hurricane,” said Mandy Nolan, USACE Omaha District Nebraska Regulatory. “By analyzing the differences between the two, we can assess the extent of the damage. This allows us to determine the specific temporary roofing solutions homeowners need. The technology speeds up the process, allowing us to make quicker and more accurate decisions so we can roof faster homes and help families with their recovery.”

One of the most important aspects of Operation Blue Roof is that it is completely free for qualifying homeowners. Homeowners wishing to participate must sign a right-of-entry form, which authorizes USACE and its contractor to enter the property and install the temporary roofing. To simplify the process, especially for displaced residents, USACE has launched an online platform where homeowners can submit ROE digitally, expediting assistance.

Additionally, all assessment and installation services are offered free of charge. Unfortunately, disaster recovery efforts can sometimes attract fraudulent actors looking to exploit vulnerable homeowners by charging for services that are intended to be free.

To combat this, FEMA has set up a disaster fraud hotline at 1-866-720-5721, encouraging homeowners to report suspicious activity.

Homeowners looking for more information or to sign up for the program can visit the USACE or FEMA websites or contact local emergency management offices. https://www.usace.army.mil/ OR https://www.fema.gov/.

As a reminder, Operation Blue Roof is completely free and any attempt to charge for services should be reported to the FEMA Disaster Fraud Hotline.

“It’s a humbling experience to call homeowners and hear the happiness in their voices because someone is willing to help them, and they don’t have to pay for it,” said Jennifer Gilbreath, USACE Omaha District contract specialist. It’s nice to know we can make a difference.”