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SARASOTA, Fla. — Homeowners and residents in Sarasota County who were left with damages to their roofs after Hurricane Ian blew through Florida may now be eligible for repairs. Colored Corrugated Metal Roofing

As a priority mission managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Operation Blue Roof is a free federal program that provides sheeting to cover roofs for the time being.

The program "protects property, reduces temporary housing costs, and allows residents to remain in their homes while recovering from the storm," officials explain in a news release.

People in need can sign up and check the status of their applications through an online portal by clicking here. They can also call the toll-free number at 888-766-3258 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. to speak to a live operator and apply. 

There are qualifications people applying to the program have to match, including:

Anyone interested can find more information on the program here.

Residents are advised to document any damage to their homes left in the wake of Hurricane Ian, including "photos, estimates in repair and receipts for repair work or the purchase of supplies used to protect or repair their homes."

This type of documentation is needed for people to be able to submit a federal assistance claim to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

Anyone in need can begin the application process by clicking here or downloading the FEMA app online. For those without access to internet, you can still apply by calling 1-800-621-3362.

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