>>> well, the great escape under way across the country. millions on the move for the holiday weekend. a lot of those out east are headed to beaches, including the jersey shore where tourism is a huge economic engine and they are advertising they are back. but arriving beachgoers may encounter problems underfoot. all that stuff that sandy tore up and blew away had to end up somewhere, and sadly, there is a lot of it in the water right where people want to go. our report from the shore tonight from nbc's katy tur. cause we're stronger than the storm  >> reporter: a $25 million campaign, encouraging visitors to come back.  >> jersey shore is open.  >> because we're stronger than the storm.  >> reporter: open, but not entirely ready. from a newly discovered but long w buried world war ii era mine, exposed by sandy and blown up by experts to a piece of a carnival ride pulled from the waters of seaside park . what lies beneath the waves is still a mystery.  >> i honestly believe if you hit the wrong thing, it could hill kill you. imagine one of these barbs being in the water.  >> reporter: this is the life lifeguard captain.  >> all of this concrete is in the water?  >> you don't think it's right there?  >> reporter: eight months of work, and much has been removed, including the infamous roller coaster. the state estimates it has taken out 80,000 cubic yards of debris. enough to fill 6,667 dump trunks. sounds like a lot. but 130 miles of coastline and using aerial scans of the shoreline and sonar in the water, but still more out there, more washing up, and that's why you are seeing this beach here in middletown completely empty. empty, because at this beach, it's not safe to swim yet.  >> we've found everything, we've found appliances, car parts , parts of decks, siding, roofing, you name it.  >> reporter: down the shore, the desire for a comeback outweighs many concerns.  >> this is what it's all about. bring your family, enjoy yourself.  >> reporter: on the surface, all may look normal. it's what lies beneath that still haunts the jersey shore . katy tur, nbc news, new jersey.
Video on msnbc.com: At the Jersey Shore, refuse from the storm still lingers underwater at Seaside Park, where concrete slabs are continually being pulled out. So far, the state estimates it has recovered 80,000 cubic yards of debris but more remains under the surface. NBC’s Katy Tur reports.