Help for Hurricane Victims (Houston, Dickinson: attorneys, Home Depot, buy)

[scammed1]

I am posting this but removed the name of the sender so it is not a political post but of help. I have tried to get the Blue Tarp # though and cannot get through. I will be calling some elected officals on that. Mods, please do not attach this to other hurricane threads so that people can see it immediatley.





"Daily LegalLine for Those Affected by Storm"

Volunteer attorneys from the Houston Bar Association will answer legal questions from the public from 3:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. daily, beginning Tuesday, September 16, 2008 through Wednesday, October 1, 2008. The public may call 713-759-1133 or toll free

1-866-959-1133, to speak to a volunteer attorney, who will assist in answering their legal questions related to the storm.



The HBA's regular LegalLine program will be held on Wednesday, October 1, with attorneys answering calls until 9:00 p.m.








"BLUE ROOF PROGRAM"
The recent hurricanes have left many 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. - OPTION #4 is for TEXAS CASES

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 contractor employees on their property. Right of Entry (ROE) centers for affected counties are manned 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 rapidly as possible.
Homeowners who had plastic sheeting damaged or blown off during Hurricane Jeanne must complete a new ROE form. The damaged or missing plastic sheeting will be reinstalled as rapidly as possible.
In some instances, there may be a slowdown in installing plastic sheeting because of a national shortage.
Homeowners can also cover their roof 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.
The BLUE ROOF program is provided by FEMA through the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in all counties that have been declared by FEMA for the Individual Assistance program.

[bostoner]

You can sign up for Blue Roof in person at some library branches and other sites.

abc13.com Blog: Blue roof program

1-888-ROOFBLUE seems to be the correct phone number. I just called twice and got through both times.

[scammed1]

Thanks, maybe when I was calling they were on overload.

[texas7]

You have to sign up in person -- takes less than 5 minutes. The phone number would probably just give you locations. They had people (as of yesterday) at the Home Depot and Lowes in the Gulfgate area (I45 South @ 610). I also asked about other locations but those working there at the time did not know -- (In addition to blue roof for our home was trying to find a location for a friend in Jersey Village that was near their home).

[scammed1]

I called the # and there are only 1 or 2 locations in particular counties.
Do not know why they would not have at last one location on each side of town?

[bostoner]

Hmm, I'm not sure about that. I know for certain that the Houston Public Library has four branches where people can sign up for it, and the abc13 blog indicates there are other sites... Or do you mean outside of Harris County?

[scammed1]

When I called the # it states limited areas where one can sign up for the program.

[dbeard]

Does anyone know where to pick up the free tarps provided by FEMA. I do not need the blue roof program to put it up, I will do that myself.
Thanks.
I live in Dickinson, Tx.

[texas7]

I don't know of any that they are giving out free - I only know of the program where you sign up and their contractor comes and tarps.

Here is what they do - you sign up (takes under 5 minutes). You are signing a right of entry form giving them permission to get on your roof to inspect and tarp where needed. You don't need to be home when they come. It is a much heavier duty tarp than what you can buy from a store - it worse came to worse - it can hold up to a year (if it took you that long to get someone to come fix your roof). It is just a temporary fix (free) until you can actually get a company out to make your repairs.

[dbeard]

Do you know how thick the tarp is they are offering that will last up to a year?
Tanks
Don