captain bruce bergess says this system is the only safe way to let residents back. >> we're here to help, we're here for security. >> reporter: homeowners have only a few hours to collect valuables. they will not be back here for weeks. >> i still didn't believe it until i walked around the side, seeing the house split open. >> reporter: split open. >> reporter: ortley beach is in lockout, police officers from places as far away as louisiana work around the clock shifts. over the next five days, 5,000 people will return, a boat in the living room among many nasty surprises. engineers are busy putting numbers on the damage. and the shocking number is 73, 73 homes not just damaged but completely off their foundations, and destroyed. in ortley beach alone. those homes still standing run the risk of collapsing into sinkholes. watching all of this is now suddenly part of the captain's job description. >> this all goes beyond the scope of what we're used to doing. it never happened here before. >> reporter: adapting to new jobs and changed lives, ortley beach has to recover. stephanie gosk nbc