I've been there during and after storms but nothing of this magnitude. I talked to someone on the beach near the cabin wreck on my first trip there. She was trying to sell a small beachfront house there and I certainly considered it. I was there just after a hurricane (forget which one) and that house was reduced to matchsticks. Unless you live on the barrier island south of Sebastian Inlet, and can prove it, you're not getting in there for a bit. It's under mandatory evacuation.
This is looking like it could be catastrophic to the 1715 beach area. Yes - very good for moving sand and treasure. I'm sure there will be great finds eventually. Know that it isn't quite like what you may have read. You read the high points but don't typically get the rest of the story. The crossovers will likely be destroyed. Debris will be everywhere. Everywhere! Big debris, nails, wood with nails partially buried in the sand. If you envision escudos scattered on top of the sand, you could be right somewhere along a 20 mile stretch of beach... but you will mostly see lumber, tires, wire, shingles, doors, shoes, you name it. Your detector will go mad among all the metal debris. Some of the homes in that area cost more than I'll make in a lifetime. You can bet on needing a good reason to be there. Parking will be iffy at best. It is on a good day. I've had to be extremely creative in the past and unless you know the area well, count on parking to be minimal or risk being towed. Not fun when your cell phone battery is dead and there is no power in the area. You're stuck and now taxing already taxed resources.
It will be dangerous for some time. Heed all warnings you've seen on here so far. NEVER turn your back on the surf in these conditions. 16 foot surf is no joke. Wearing headphones and looking down is not conducive to situational awareness, safety, or even life. Finding the queens jewels is worthless if you're struck by lumber in the surf and killed while scooping it up. You're trapped if you're between a huge cut and the surf. See pic of cut and imagine the possibility. The other pic is at the cabin site during an unusually low tide. That first reef is pretty much on the beach. Just like people on those galleons, you don't want to be caught up in that during/following a storm.
Not saying don't go but go when appropriate and safe. Wish I could get down there but I'm in a new job and have no vacation hours.
Thoughts and prayers to all those in the area.
