[Hou-announce] Ike: Operation Blue Tarp

[Hillary Greenslade]

Saw this on the news last night, and again in yesterdays Houston  Chronicle, for those of you with some roof damage, check it out. 
Guess our houses will favor those in Gleann Ahbann after Katrina.

Feel free to forward as needed. 
Be safe, Hillary 

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/nb/tomball/news/6007547.html
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Text:
>From the Army Corps of Engineers
AUSTIN, Texas - Hurricane Ike has left many Texas homeowners with damaged roofs. Repairs to these roofs can take time. In order to mitigate additional damage that could result from rain, homeowners can have plastic sheeting installed over the damaged area by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers contractors, in a program provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).  The toll-free BLUE ROOF hotline number is 1-888-ROOF-BLU or 1-888-766-3258.                                             

In anticipation of a temporary roofing mission, the Corps has established two mobile Right of Entry collection sites. Anyone needing a temporary roof can go to the City of Webster Civic Center, 101 Pennsylvania St., or to the intersection of Red Bluff Road and Spencer Highway in Deer Park to fill out a right of entry form. Hours of operation will be daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. The Corps expects to set up at least eight more ROE collection sites within a week.

Here are some facts about Operation BLUE ROOF:

• To qualify for BLUE ROOF services, damage to the roof must be less than 50 percent and the area to be covered must be structurally sound for a crew to work on. 
• In order to have plastic sheeting placed on their roofs, homeowners must complete a right-of-entry form to allow government and contract employees on their property. Right of Entry (ROE) centers for affected counties are staffed by Corps of Engineers employees. For the center location in your county, call toll free 1-888-766-3258. 
• The Corps is covering roofs in the hardest hit counties first. Be patient. The Corps will respond to every person who has completed a ROE as quickly as possible. 
• In some instances, there may be a slowdown in installing plastic sheeting because of a national shortage. 
• Homeowners may also cover their roofs with free tarps provided by FEMA and issued through their local governments. Residents need to monitor the media for information on where to pick up the tarps. 
• The plastic covering and the tarps are temporary fixes designed to provide protection from the elements until the homeowner can make permanent repairs with a qualified professional.