Here is my update for detecting after Sandy. First of all, the shore is in bad shape. It is one thing to see it on TV, another to see it first-hand. Small beach wash stations were off of their foundations and crumbled. Areas for rinsing off had twisted pipe. Boardwalk planks were gone. Only the foundations remain. Trees were uprooted (not all of course, but many). Sand was all over the road with crews working.
I stayed well out of the way of the cleanup crews and even helped them collect some of the debris that was washed onto the beach. One major item was the posts that are used for sheet metal signs (they have holes in them and are in a "U" shape if you look at them long-ways). I found several buried under 6 inches to foot or more of sand. The crews seemed to appreciate it and I think it is good for the detecting community to help. I also found a broken fillet knife and other sharp objects that were safely discarded.
The beach was both sanded in at some locations and hard-pan with pebbles in others. I covered about 2 miles of beach. It was great exercise. No one can argue about that! Most of the finds were modern clad. There were a few small fragments of other metals, none precious. In general, I think the storm surge was so strong that if a few layers contained coins, jewerly, etc., a lot of it may have been swept out to sea. Some materials were also pushed on the beach.
I did find out from some locals that people were on the beach the day after the storm, despite the closures, etc. I do agree that the best time for finds is immediately after the storm. For me it just was not possible this time. Despite othere detectorists being there, there was still a lot left. It would be cool to see what people are finding in Atlantic City. I think there will be many more opportunities for finds this winter. The beaches have changed significantly. I hope the shore areas hardest hit can recover before Summer, but not sure what it will be like.
Surfline
I stayed well out of the way of the cleanup crews and even helped them collect some of the debris that was washed onto the beach. One major item was the posts that are used for sheet metal signs (they have holes in them and are in a "U" shape if you look at them long-ways). I found several buried under 6 inches to foot or more of sand. The crews seemed to appreciate it and I think it is good for the detecting community to help. I also found a broken fillet knife and other sharp objects that were safely discarded.
The beach was both sanded in at some locations and hard-pan with pebbles in others. I covered about 2 miles of beach. It was great exercise. No one can argue about that! Most of the finds were modern clad. There were a few small fragments of other metals, none precious. In general, I think the storm surge was so strong that if a few layers contained coins, jewerly, etc., a lot of it may have been swept out to sea. Some materials were also pushed on the beach.
I did find out from some locals that people were on the beach the day after the storm, despite the closures, etc. I do agree that the best time for finds is immediately after the storm. For me it just was not possible this time. Despite othere detectorists being there, there was still a lot left. It would be cool to see what people are finding in Atlantic City. I think there will be many more opportunities for finds this winter. The beaches have changed significantly. I hope the shore areas hardest hit can recover before Summer, but not sure what it will be like.
Surfline