I came across this article in some old newspaper archives... maybe someone out there has some more info or ideas on this... it says there were strongboxes lost in the flood waters but I couldn't find anything on them being found afterward Thought it would be a good lead
https://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a...---en--20--1--txt-txIN-Hornitos+flood-------1
https://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a...---en--20--1--txt-txIN-Hornitos+flood-------1