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Video by Mark Rankin

Sarasota resident gives testimony about receiving a Blue Roof

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District

Nov. 1, 2024 | 1:00

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 56th chief of engineers, Lt. Gen. William H. Graham, visited the Sarasota, Florida, area to meet with leaders and volunteers involved with USACE's Hurricane Milton response.

During his visit, Graham stopped into the USACE Hurricane Milton Emergency Field Office (EFO), to receive briefings and recognize employees who have gone above and beyond in the recovery effort.

“It’s an amazing job you’re doing here,” said Graham. “It’s great to see the work that the Jacksonville District, supported by the enterprise across the country, continues to do to get Florida back on its feet.”

While in Sarasota, Graham, accompanied by Col. Brandon Bowman, Jacksonville District commander, Maj. Matt Westcott, Jacksonville District deputy district engineer and EFO commander, and Nicole Cominoli, an Omaha District program manager and Operation Blue Roof mission manager, paid a visit to homeowner Luther Rosebaro, a local artist whose home received a Blue Roof.

Rosebaro, who has resided in Sarasota since 2008, said his home was damaged from the high winds during Hurricane Milton. After the storm passed, he heard about the Blue Roof Program on a local news station.

“After Hurricane Milton departed, I was watching Channel 13 news Tampa and heard them say something about the Army Corps of Engineers' free Blue Roof program, so I got online, registered and three or four days later, my roof was completed,” said Rosebaro.

Operation Blue Roof is a free service to eligible homeowners and provides a temporary covering of blue plastic sheeting to help reduce further damage to property until permanent repairs can be made. The sign-up period was recently extended and now ends Nov. 14. Those interested may apply at BlueRoof.gov or calling 888-ROOF-BLU.