Recovery

Operation Blue Roof

Operation Blue Roof is a priority mission managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for FEMA. Operation Blue Roof aims to provide homeowners in disaster areas with fiber-reinforced sheeting to cover their damaged roofs until permanent repairs are made.

This program is a free service to homeowners. Operation Blue Roof protects property, reduces temporary housing costs, and allows residents to remain in their homes while recovering from the storm.

This program is for primary residences or a permanently occupied rental property with less than 50 percent structural damage. Vacation rental properties are not eligible for this program. After the blue roof is installed, the structure is declared habitable. Not all roof types qualify for the program. Roofs that are flat or made of metal or clay, slate, or asbestos tile do not qualify. All storm debris must be removed for the roof to qualify.

If your roof received damage from Hurricane Ida:

Visit blueroof.us

Call 1-888-766-3258

TIPS FOR BLUE ROOF:

Remove debris from your roof.
Secure your pets. Homeowners with pets who have submitted Right of Entry forms should ensure pets are placed inside or properly restrained away from the structure in order for workers to safely access the roof. A loose animal on the property may cause a delay in the installation of temporary roofing.
Beware of solicitations. 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 will have a copy of signed Right of Entry form.
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.
Don’t pay. Operation Blue Roof is free to residents.
If in doubt. Report people claiming to be government workers to local law-enforcement agencies or to the FEMA Disaster Fraud Hotline at 1-866-720-5721.

Storm Debris

City-Parish debris removal crews will begin picking up storm debris generated by Hurricane Ida Tuesday, Sept. 7. Please take time to move your storm debris to the curb and organize it into piles based on the below picture. Our crews are prepared to move as quickly as possible while mobilizing all available resources as we continue to respond to and recover from this devastating storm. For more information visit: brla.gov/des or call 3-1-1.

Check the status of debris collected in your neighborhood here.

Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (DSNAP)

If DSNAP is declared, pre-registration will speed your application.

If you pre-registered or applied for DSNAP over the past year, it is not necessary to pre-register again, although you will have to apply by phone during the DSNAP period.

Text LADSNAP to 898-211 to receive DSNAP updates, if DSNAP is approved for your area.

For Louisiana participants in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), you can use your benefits to purchase “hot” or prepared foods through September 28, 2021, following a waiver from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service (FNS). More information about the “hot foods” waiver click here.

For more information regarding DSNAP visit this webpage.

Transitional Sheltering Assistance (TSA)

What is this?

This is a temporary program for survivors displaced from their primary residence that allows eligible disaster survivors to select from a list of partner hotel rooms.

Who is eligible?

If you were displaced from the storm, have registered with FEMA and selected one of the locations listed below, you may be eligible for help from the TSA program:

Living in a car
Living in a hotel/motel
Living in a mass shelter
Living at your place of employment

How does it work?

When you registered with FEMA and are eligible, then FEMA will automatically call you over the next several days. This FEMA call will be a recorded message telling you that you are eligible and referring you to a website where you will find a list of hotels with available rooms. You can call the hotel where you would like to stay to arrange a room. Upon your arrival and check in, you will provide your registration number and a government ID. Rooms are directly paid through FEMA.

FEMA will contact you throughout your stay to assist you with your future housing plans. Your case will be managed on an individual basis to determine, for example, whether you have received your Individual Assistance money from FEMA and been provided available rental resources that would lead to a more permanent housing solution.

For more information click here.

Hurricane Ida Survivors May be Eligible for Generator and Chainsaw Reimbursement

Generator Reimbursement:

1. FEMA has now waived the following requirements for survivors: The generator must’ve been purchased or rented to power a medically required piece of equipment, including medically required refrigerators.

2. The applicant must submit a statement from a medical services provider, indicating the equipment is medically necessary.

3. The generator must have been purchased by September 25, 2021 which is 30 days after the August 26, 2021 incident period start date. FEMA has also increased the award amount for generators to $800.

Chainsaw Reimbursement: FEMA has now increased the award amount for chainsaws to $250 based on the average cost to purchase a medium to large gas-powered chainsaw with a minimum of a 16-inch bar to clear disaster debris such as fallen trees.

For more information click here.

Disaster Distress Help

Disaster Distress Helpline: Call 1-800-985-5990 or text "TalkWithUs" to 66746
Behavioral Health Recovery Outreach Line: Call 1-833-333-1132
Crisis Text Line: Text "REACHOUT" to 741741
National Suicide Prevention Line: Call 1-800-273-8255
Baton Rouge Crisis Intervention Center: Call 225-924-3900 or 225-924-1431
Capital Area Family Justice Center (Domestic Violence): Call 1-800-541-9706
Capital Area Human Services: Call 225-925-1906 or visit www.cahsd.org / for help after 4:30 PM call via the Baton Rouge Crisis Line at 1-844-452-2133
Capital Area United Way: Crisis Teen Text at 504-777-EASE
The Keeping Calm Crisis Line: Call 1-866-310-7977