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Hurricane Milton Resources

Disaster Supply Kit Checklist

  • Build an emergency kit, strengthen your home, and make a family evacuation plan.
  • Listen to your all-weather radio or TV for information.
  • During the hurricane, take refuge in a small interior room, closet or hallway on the lowest level.
  • Stay alert for extended rainfall and subsequent flooding even after the hurricane or tropical storm has ended.
  • Follow your local officials’ evacuation order! If you evacuated, return home only when officials say it is safe.
  • ​After the hurricane has passed, drive only if necessary and avoid flooded roads and washed out bridges.

Florida Ports

  • The Jacksonville District has its survey vessels and crews conducting surveys of deep draft ports in Florida to assess for shoaling and debris.
  • We work closely with our partners in the U.S. Coast Guard and various port authorities to ensure a quick return to normal port traffic.

JACKSONVILLE Port Authority (JAXPORT)
TAMPA Port Authority (Port Tampa) 
MIAMI (Port Miami) 
 

Contractors Seeking Work

  • The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District, is working with the full range of federal, state and local partners in response to Hurricane Milton and the restoration work that will be required in its aftermath.
  • Businesses and individual contractors interested in doing business with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers should take the first step of registering with the System for Award Management (SAM) at https://sam.gov/SAM/pages/public/index.jsf
  • Contractors interested in subcontracting opportunities should visit www.blueroof.gov for the Prime Contractor's name and contact information.
  • Small businesses may be particularly interested in contracting opportunities available through the Jacksonville District Small Business Program. Information and points of contact may be found at https://www.saj.usace.army.mil/SmallBusiness/.
    Subcontracting opportunities usually result through partnerships with larger companies. Firms interested in pursuing such possibilities can find information from the U.S. Small Business Association at https://www.sba.gov.

Costal Shore Protection Projects (Beach Renourishment)

  • Coastal engineers will inspect USACE Coastal Storm Risk Management projects as soon as it is safe to do so. Inspection teams will survey the project and assess if any changes to the project plans are necessary after the storm.
  • The beach projects are specifically designed to help protect infrastructure from storms like Tropical Storm L. We expect to see erosion on many federal project sites and believe that without those projects we would have seen much more damage to buildings, roads, and other facilities from this storm.
  • The corps can also inspect non-federal beaches for damage if given a mission assignment to do so by FEMA through the state EOC.
Operation Blue Roof Recipient Mark Arena, an Army Vietnam Veteran, received the last Blue Roof Install on his home Poinciana, Fla. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers commemorated the last day of Operation Blue Roof construction Nov. 19, 2024, in Poinciana, Fla, marking the end of Operation Blue Roof in Florida that provided temporary roofing protection to homes damaged by Hurricane Milton in 25 counties. The program covered 8,296 roofs, installing about 100 acres of reinforced, industrial-strength sheeting, providing a temporary solution that allowed homeowners to remain in their homes until they can make permanent repairs. Operation Blue Roof, assigned by FEMA and managed by USACE, is a no-cost, free service for homeowners. (USACE video by Mark Rankin)
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Operation Blue Roof Program contractors install first blue roof at a record-setting pace, one-week post-storm and one day after the issuance of the notice to proceed, in the wake of the aftermath of Hurricane Milton. (USACE photo by Mark Rankin)
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Jacksonville District Deputy Commander, Maj. Matt Westcott, District Commander, Col. Brandon Bowman and Chief of Engineers Lt. Gen. William H. Graham discuss the Hurricane Milton Blue Roof mission Oct. 29 at the Emergency Field Office in Sarasota, Florida. During Graham’s visit, he recognized several members for their stellar efforts on the Operation Blue Roof program and the general response. He also met with a homeowner from the Sarasota community who recently had a Blue Roof installed. (U.S. Army photo by Brooks O. Hubbard, U.S. Army Corps of Engineer)
(Left to Right) Rolando Sanidad from the Baltimore District and Katie Blanton, from the St. Louis District talk with residents from Orange City, Florida about the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Blue Roof mission. Both Sanidad and Blanton are deployed to Florida as part of Operation Blue Roof in response to Hurricane Milton. (USACE photo by Mark Rankin)
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Operation Blue Roof Program contractors install first blue roof at a record-setting pace, one-week post-storm and one day after the issuance of the notice to proceed, in the wake of the aftermath of Hurricane Milton.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Operation Blue Roof Program contractors install first blue roof at a record-setting pace, one-week post-storm and one day after the issuance of the notice to proceed, in the wake of the aftermath of Hurricane Milton.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Operation Blue Roof Program contractors install first blue roof at a record-setting pace, one-week post-storm and one day after the issuance of the notice to proceed, in the wake of the aftermath of Hurricane Milton.
(left to right) U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Ethan Bean, Baltimore District, Katie Blanton, St. Louis District and Rolando Sanidad, Baltimore District assist Polk County residents Bob and Joyce Condie with their Blue Roof application, Oct. 28 at the Lake Myrtle Sports Complex in Auburndale, Florida. (USACE photo by Brook Hubbard IV)
Jeffry Fritsma, from the Detroit District talks with a resident in Sarasota, Florida after he completes a home inspection for Operation Blue Roof. Operation Blue Roof is a priority mission managed by USACE for FEMA. The mission’s purpose is to provide homeowners in disaster areas with blue-colored, fiber-reinforced sheeting to temporarily cover their damaged roofs until arrangements can be made for permanent repairs. This is a free service for homeowners. (USACE photo by Mark Rankin)
USACE is tasked by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to assist eligible homeowners with temporary roof repairs. The Operation Blue Roof Program provides temporary blue covering with fiber-reinforced sheeting to help reduce further damage to property until permanent repairs can be made.
USACE is tasked by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to assist eligible homeowners with temporary roof repairs. The Operation Blue Roof Program provides temporary blue covering with fiber-reinforced sheeting to help reduce further damage to property until permanent repairs can be made.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Operation Blue Roof Program contractors install first blue roof at a record-setting pace, one-week post-storm and one day after the issuance of the notice to proceed, in the wake of the aftermath of Hurricane Milton. (USACE Photo by Bri Sanchez)
(left to right) U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Omaha District Quality Assurance Specialist Julie Standard and Jenny Schneckloth, assist a Pinellas County resident with their Blue Roof application, Oct. 28 at the Winn Dixie Parking lot, Madeira Beach, Florida. (USACE photo by Brooks O. Hubbard)
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Operation Blue Roof Program contractors install first blue roof at a record-setting pace, one-week post-storm and one day after the issuance of the notice to proceed, in the wake of the aftermath of Hurricane Milton. (USACE Photo by Bri Sanchez)
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Jacksonville District Deputy Commander, Maj. Matt Westcott, District Commander, Col. Brandon Bowman and Chief of Engineers Lt. Gen. William H. Graham discuss the Hurricane Milton Blue Roof mission Oct. 29 at the Emergency Field Office in Sarasota, Florida. During Graham’s visit, he recognized several members for their stellar efforts on the Operation Blue Roof program and the general response. He also met with a homeowner from the Sarasota community who recently had a Blue Roof installed. (U.S. Army photo by Brooks O. Hubbard, U.S. Army Corps of Engineer)
(Left to right) U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Jacksonville District employees Alison Blitch, a Emergency Management Specialist and Kassie Murphy, a Biologist from Operations take notes during a Hurricane Milton preparation briefing in the Emergency Operations Center in Jacksonville, Fla. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District is preparing to respond as needed and providing information on operational adjustments that will take place within the district. The Jacksonville District Emergency Operations Center is active, allowing the district to devote added attention to the response actions that might be necessary as Hurricane Milton impacts Florida. We have deployed staff to the state of Florida Emergency Operations Center and subject matter experts to areas around the state, and we are working closely with state and local officials to coordinate preparedness and response activities.
USACE Equipment stages in response to Hurricane Milton.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Jacksonville District Commander Col. Brandon Bowman listens on the phone to his team at the district, about #USACE support for post-storm #Milton on his way to central Florida to preposition before the storm. Our number one priority continues to be the life, health, and safety of all who are affected by Hurricane Milton.
USACE Commander speaking with Orange County EOC personnel during response efforts during Hurricane Milton.
USACE Commander coordinating with USACE personnel during response efforts to Hurricane Milton.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Jacksonville District Commander Col. Brandon Bowman, along with Crisis Action Team Members Jake Edwards (blue shirt) and Thomas Spencer, study the map and delineate a plan to meet with several Emergency Management Chiefs before Hurricane Milton makes landfall. #USACE support for post-storm #Milton on his way to central Florida to preposition before the storm. Our number one priority continues to be the life, health, and safety of all who are affected by Hurricane Milton.

Blue Roof Mission

 

 

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Jacksonville District has been tasked by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to assist eligible homeowners with temporary roof repairs. 

Operation Blue Roof is a free service to homeowners. The counties currently identified for the program include: Brevard, Citrus, Charlotte, DeSoto, Flagler, Hardee, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Indian River, Lake, Manatee, Martin, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Palm Beach, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Sarasota, Seminole, St. Lucie, Sumter, and Volusia Counties. The sign-up period is complete.

Residents impacted by Hurricane Milton can sign-up at www.blueroof.gov, calling 888-ROOF-BLU (888-766-3258), or visiting an ROE collection center throughout the affected areas, as they are available. If ROE collection center locations are operational, they will be listed on the website www.blueroof.gov. 

Hurricane Milton Response

Hurricane Milton made landfall Wednesday, October 9, 2024 about 8:30 p.m. in Siesta Key, about 70 miles south of Tampa, as a Category 3 storm with maximum sustained winds of about 120 mph. The storm caused a record number of 150 tornadoes across Florida and brought deadly storm surge, ferocious winds and rain. It weakened to a Category 1 storm early as it moved inland across the state and exited near Cape Canaveral.

Within hours, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) had teams positioned to provide temporary emergency power. In addition to temporary emergency power, personnel assist the states with assessments of critical infrastructure including water/wastewater treatment facilities, debris management, and road and bridge inspections as needed. USACE is also providing technical expertise for flood responses.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers-Jacksonville District (USACE) is coordinating closely with Federal agencies, Tribal, state, and local government officials in responding to Hurricane Helene impacts throughout Florida. USACE conducts its emergency response activities under two basic authorities – Public Law 84-99 (Flood Control and Coastal Emergencies), and when mission assigned by FEMA under the Stafford Disaster and Emergency Assistance Act. Under Public Law 84-99 (Flood Control and Coastal Emergencies), USACE provides disaster preparedness services and advanced planning measures designed to reduce the amount of damage caused by an impending disaster. Under the Stafford Act, the Corps supports the Department of Homeland Security and Federal Emergency Management Agency in carrying out the National Response Plan, which calls on 30 federal departments and agencies to provide coordinated disaster relief and recovery operations. USACE serves as the lead agency under FEMA to respond with public works and engineering support and to coordinate long-term infrastructure recovery. Normal USACE disaster recovery missions include debris management, commodities distribution, temporary housing, temporary roofing, emergency power, infrastructure assessment, and support to urban search and rescue.

This page has both overall and state-specific information and resources related to storm safety, shelter information, news and multimedia products, and rumors and scams.

Debris Removal Guidelines

This graphic depicts FEMA guidelines for debris removal. Please be sure that your storm debris does not block any right of ways when setting it out for removal.

USACE South Florida Operations

Herbert Hoover Dike and Lake Okeechobee:

  • Tornadic activity forced us to close the Okeechobee Waterway at 12:30 p.m. October 9 for the duration of the storm. One tornado passed directly over Port Mayaca Lock, causing them to lose power, but caused no damage.
  • Our staff are currently conducting their usual post-storm inspections of Herbert Hoover Dike and all of our structures. Once it is deemed safe to do so, they will reopen.
  • Lake Okeechobee is currently at 16.12 feet, up from 15.62 before the storm. There was not much direct rainfall over the lake or the C-44 reservoir.
  • Less rain than expected fell over most of the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes (the northwest area received 10-15 inches), which will mean lower inflows to Lake Okeechobee as the water moves south.
  • Currently, we have no plans to release any water from the lake.

Corps Mission

Every year, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, part of the federal government’s unified national response to disasters and emergencies, sends hundreds of people to respond to disasters around the world. Here at home, USACE assists the Department of Homeland Security and Federal Emergency Management Agency as the primary agency for public works and engineering-related emergency support. FEMA assigns USACE missions to include: debris management, commodities distribution, temporary housing, temporary roofing, emergency power, infrastructure assessment, and support to urban search and rescue.

  • USACE uses pre-awarded contracts that can be quickly activated for missions such as debris removal, temporary roofing, commodities distribution, and generator installation.

  • When disasters occur, USACE teams and other resources are mobilized from across the country to assist our local districts and offices to deliver our response missions.

Disasters and Emergencies

Resources for Affected Areas

Recreation Facilities

  • Jacksonville District park rangers will monitor conditions at Corps’ campgrounds and recreation areas.
  • All campgrounds and recreation facilities managed by the Corps of Engineers in Florida are open.
  • If a county government issues an evacuation order for mobile homes or RV parks in an area where there is a Corps’ campground or recreational facility, rangers will order an evacuation of the facility and advise on shelter locations. 
  • Visitors should move all campers, motor homes, tents, vessels, and trailers from facilities under evacuation orders.
  • Campers will receive refunds for any cancelled camping reservations through the reservation system contractor. For more information on refunds, guests can go to www.recreation.gov or call 877-444-6777.
  • Campers should monitor https://www.recreation.gov for reopening information.