PORTLAND, Ore. — A Portland call center is helping people in the wake of Hurricane Milton. KGW reporter Sydney Dorner spoke with responders as they figured out ways to help residents get back on their feet.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has a Portland office that answers calls during federal emergencies, like the devastating storms seen recently in the southeastern U.S. Right now, Floridians can call for fiber coverings for missing roofs to prevent further damage to their homes.
Despite the worst of Hurricane Milton passing, thousands are living in homes they barely recognize; with some completely roofless and exposed to the elements. Lieutenant David Weart is leading the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Portland, working to assist those residents.
“I think these natural disasters back to back really stress our capabilities to get people out of harm's way, get debris cleared and power generation back up,” Weart said.
Two years ago, federal leaders decided to base call centers outside of the states affected by each hurricane, realizing that this method, used during Hurricane Ian, avoided competition for critical resources. The new Southwest Portland headquarters is a permanent Operation Blue Roof call center post.
“We’ve had several calls from people just ecstatic, almost praising their god or deity for someone who can help— a calm voice,” Weart said.
Mark McKay, a catastrophic disaster program manager, is one of the supportive responders at the center. He said Floridians can also seek assistance online, but many people don’t have service during such chaotic aftermaths.
“All we are here to do is get them signed up for what’s called a 'right of entry' form,” McKay said. “This allows the government and its agents to come onto their property. They agree to let us do that and allow us to put a temporary engineering-grade tarp on their roof.”
McKay noted that while this does not fix the house or stop leaks, it does prevent further major damage. He admitted that getting to homeowners can take up to 30 days, but they are always there to listen.
“They’re hurting; they’ve had a lot of heartache, and so we listen to them. We try to expedite getting the form filled out but try not to cut them off either,” McKay said.
For those looking to help directly, the Operation Blue Roof call center is always seeking volunteers to assist with the thousands of calls they receive each day.
Homeowners can first find out if they qualify by visiting this webpage. If eligible, homeowners may sign up here or call 888-ROOF-BLU (888-766-3258).