Photos: Statue of Liberty to reopen July 4
Months after Superstorm Sandy swamped her little island, the Statue of Liberty will finally welcome visitors again on Independence Day. Sandy made landfall one day after the statue's 126th birthday, flooding most of the 12 acres she stands upon with water that surged as high as 8 feet. Lady Liberty herself was spared, but the surrounding grounds on Liberty Island took a beating.
Statue of Liberty
Donna Bodkins, of Fisher, West Virginia, caries American flags while visiting the Statue of Liberty to mark her 125th anniversary, Friday, Oct. 28, 2011 in New York. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)
Space Shuttle Intrepid
This photo provided by NASA shows Space shuttle Enterprise, riding on the back of the NASA 747 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft, flies near the Statue of Liberty, Friday, April 27, 2012,in New York. Enterprise is eventually going to make its new home in New York City at the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum. (AP Photo/NASA, Bill Ingalls)
ground zero, Sept 11, 9/11
The Tribute in Light shines above lower Manhattan, the Statue of Liberty, and One World Trade Center, left, Saturday, Sept. 10, 2011 in New York. Sunday will mark the 10th anniversary of the September 11 attacks on the United States. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)
ground zero, 9/11
One World Trade Center rises above the lower Manhattan skyline and the Statue of Liberty in this aerial photo, Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2011 in New York. Sept. 11, 2011 will mark the tenth anniversary of the terrorist attacks in the United States. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)
Superstorm Liberty Island
Bricks from the walkway that surrounds Liberty Island are collected in a Dumpster, in New York, Friday, Nov. 30, 2012. Tourists in New York will miss out for a while on one of the hallmarks of a visit to New York, seeing the Statue of Liberty up close. Though the statue itself survived Superstorm Sandy intact, damage to buildings and Liberty Island's power and heating systems means the island will remain closed for now, and authorities don't have an estimate on when it will reopen. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
Statue of Liberty Reopening
This June 25, 2013 photo provided by the National Park Service, shows new paving stones being install on Liberty Island at the public entrance to the national monument, which is set to re-open on the 4th of July, in New York. Months after railings broke, docks and paving stones were torn up and buildings were flooded by Superstorm Sandy, the Statue of Liberty will finally welcome visitors again. (AP Photo/National Park Service,
Superstorm Liberty Island
Manhattan island is visible behind the auxiliary pier on Liberty Island, damaged by Superstorm Sandy, in New York, Friday, Nov. 30, 2012. Tourists in New York will miss out for a while on one of the hallmarks of a visit to New York, seeing the Statue of Liberty up close. Though the statue itself survived Superstorm Sandy intact, damage to buildings and Liberty Island's power and heating systems means the island will remain closed for now, and authorities don't have an estimate on when it will reopen. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
Statue of Liberty Reopening
This June 25, 2013 photo provided by the National Park Service, shows new paving stones being install on Liberty Island around the national monument which is set to re-open on the 4th of July, in New York. Months after railings broke, docks and paving stones were torn up and buildings were flooded by Superstorm Sandy, the Statue of Liberty will finally welcome visitors again. (AP Photo/National Park Service, Kevin Daley)
Superstorm Liberty Island
Boards of the passenger dock of Liberty Island are askew, damaged from Superstorm Sandy, in New York, Friday, Nov. 30, 2012. Tourists in New York will miss out for a while on one of the hallmarks of a visit to New York, seeing the Statue of Liberty up close. Though the statue itself survived Superstorm Sandy intact, damage to buildings and Liberty Island's power and heating systems means the island will remain closed for now, and authorities don't have an estimate on when it will reopen. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
Statue of Liberty
Members of the Veteran Corps of Artillery of New York fire a cannon salute during a ceremony at the Statue of Liberty to mark her 125th anniversary, Friday, Oct. 28, 2011 in New York. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)
Caroline DuCrey
Caroline DuCrey, of Albertville, France, jumps in front of the Statue of Liberty so her friends can take her photo, Friday, Oct. 28, 2011 in New York. It is the Statue's 125th anniversary. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)
Statue of Liberty Anniversary
A New York Fire Department boat discharges its water cannons beside the Statue of Liberty during the statue's 125th anniversary celebration, Friday, Oct. 28, 2011, in New York. A total of 125 immigrants from 46 countries have been sworn in as United States citizens at a ceremony marking the anniversary while new additions to the statue, including new Internet-connected cameras on her torch that will let viewers gaze out at New York Harbor, have been unveiled. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
New Jersey Moonrise
The moon rises near the Statue of Liberty as seen from Liberty State Park, Wednesday, June 15, 2011 in Jersey City, N.J. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Statue of Liberty Webcams
This undated photo provided by EarthCam, shows the Statue of Liberty in New York Harbor from a camera mounted in its torch, in New York. Five torch cams will be switched on Friday, Oct. 28, 2011, during a ceremony to commemorate the statue’s dedication. The five cameras, which will be on 24 hours, 7 days a week, were donated to the National Park Service by Earthcam Inc., a New Jersey-based company that manages a network of webcams around the world. (AP Photo/EarthCam)
Statue of Liberty Anniversary
Flags wave at Liberty State Park on a rainy morning that covered the Northern New Jersey area, including the Statue of Liberty, Thursday, Oct. 27, 2011, in Jersey City, N.J. The statue will celebrate its 125th anniversary on Oct. 28. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Statue of Liberty Anniversary
A woman walks with an umbrella at Liberty State Park on a rainy morning that covered the northern New Jersey area, including the Statue of Liberty, Thursday, Oct. 27, 2011, in Jersey City, N.J. The statue will celebrate its 125th anniversary on Oct. 28. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Statue of Liberty
The fireboat John J. Harvey passes the Statue of Liberty, Friday, Oct. 28, 2011 in New York Harbor. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)
Statue of Liberty Anniversary
A fireworks display over the Statue of Liberty commemorates the 125th anniversary of the statue, Friday, Oct. 28, 2011 in Bayonne, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
Blue Angles Statue of Liberty
Two US Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron jets, better known as Blue Angels, seen from Liberty State Park in Jersey City, N.J., execute a survey flight over the Statue of Liberty, Monday, April 2, 2012. The two F/A-18 Hornet Fighter Jets, flew practice runs to familiarize and evaluate a potential flight course for the upcoming US Navy War of 1812 commemoration during this year’s Fleet Week celebration in May. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Statue of Liberty at 125
FILE- In this June 15, 2011 file photo, the moon is seen as it rises near the Statue of Liberty as seen from Liberty State Park, in Jersey City, N.J. On Friday, Oct. 28, 2011 the statue will host the 125th anniversary of its dedication with a Naturalization Ceremony, the presentation of a gift to continue its preservation and an evening fireworks display. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez, File)
Statue of Liberty
FILE- In this Nov. 30, 2012 file photo, a sea shell rests on a wall surrounding the Statue of Liberty, in New York. Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar announced on Tuesday, March 19, 2013 that the Statue of Liberty is scheduled to reopen by Independence Day, about eight months after it was closed because of Superstorm Sandy. (AP Photo/Richard Drew, File)
Statue of Liberty
FILE- In a Nov. 30, 2012 file photo, parts of the brick walkway of Liberty Island that were damaged in Superstorm Sandy are shown during a tour of New York’s Liberty Island. Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar announced on Tuesday, March 19, 2013 that the Statue of Liberty is scheduled to reopen by Independence Day, about eight months after it was closed because of Superstorm Sandy. (AP Photo/Richard Drew, File)
Statue of Liberty
FILE - This May 20, 2009 file photo shows the Statue of Liberty in New York Harbor. The Statue of Liberty is reopening July 4, 2013, after Liberty Island flooded during Superstorm Sandy, and tickets for the ferry ride to the island are now on sale. The statue has been closed since Sandy struck the region on Oct. 29 and damaged much of the island's infrastructure. The statue itself is on higher ground and was not damaged.(AP Photo/Richard Drew, File)
Superstorm Liberty Island
Seaweed is collected on a cyclone fence that surrounds the Statue of Liberty, in New York, Friday, Nov. 30, 2012. Tourists in New York will miss out for a while on one of the hallmarks of a visit to New York, seeing the Statue of Liberty up close. Though the statue itself survived Superstorm Sandy intact, damage to buildings and Liberty Island's power and heating systems means the island will remain closed for now, and authorities don't have an estimate on when it will reopen. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
Superstorm Liberty Island
A warped picnic bench sits with other debris on Liberty Island, in New York, Friday, Nov. 30, 2012. Tourists in New York will miss out for a while on one of the hallmarks of a visit to New York _ seeing the Statue of Liberty up close. Though the statue itself survived Superstorm Sandy intact, damage to buildings and Liberty Island's power and heating systems means the island will remain closed for now, and authorities don't have an estimate on when it will reopen. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
Statue of Liberty
FILE- In this June 2, 2009 file photo the Statue of Liberty is shown. The National Park Service says the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island will not reopen to visitors in 2012. Both sites have been closed since Superstorm Sandy hit the region Oct. 29. Cleanup and repairs at the sites has been ongoing. Park Service spokeswoman Daphne Yun said Wednesday no projected reopening date has been established. (AP Photo/Richard Drew, file)
David Luchsinger
David Luchsinger, superintendent of Statue of Liberty National Monument, and last resident of Liberty Island, shows the high water line at the back of his Superstorm Sandy-damaged home, on Liberty Island in New York, Friday, Nov. 30, 2012. Tourists in New York will miss out for a while on one of the hallmarks of a visit to New York _ seeing the Statue of Liberty up close. Though the statue itself survived Superstorm Sandy intact, damage to buildings and Liberty Island's power and heating systems means the island will remain closed for now, and authorities don't have an estimate on when it will reopen. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
Superstorm Sandy
The passenger terminal for a ferry that takes passengers to the Statue of Liberty,in Battery Park is in shambles from superstorm Sandy, in New York, Tuesday, Oct. 30, 2012. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
Nicolas Sarkozy
French President Nicolas Sarkozy, center, arrives on Liberty Island to take part in a ceremony in anticipation of the 125th anniversary of the Statue of Liberty, Thursday, Sept. 22, 2011 in New York. (AP Photo/Jason DeCrow)
Statue of Liberty
Members of the Veteran Corps of Artillery of New York attend a ceremony at the Statue of Liberty to mark her 125th anniversary, Friday, Oct. 28, 2011 in New York. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)
Travel Trip Seeing Miss Liberty
FILE - In this Oct. 1, 2012 file photo, the Staten Island Ferry passes the Statue of Liberty as it crosses New York Harbor. The Statue of Liberty, which has been closed to visitors since Superstorm Sandy, is scheduled to reopen for tours July Fourth, when Statue Cruises resumes departures for Liberty Island from Lower Manhattan. For tourists who want a photo of the famous statue without visiting the island, there are many options and vantage points, including rides on the free Staten Island Ferry. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan, file)
Statue of Liberty Reopening
FILE - In this May 25, 2011 file photo, sailors stand on deck of the USS Iwo Jima as it passes Liberty Island and the Statue of Liberty during Fleet Week in New York. After hundreds of National Park Service workers from as far away as California and Alaska spent weeks cleaning and making repairs on the national landmark in the wake of Superstorm Sandy, Liberty Island is scheduled to reopen to the public on Independence Day, July 4, 2013. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig, File)
Statue of Liberty Reopening
In this June 26, 2013 photo provided by the National Park Service, workers on Liberty Island install sod around the national monument which is set to re-open on the 4th of July, in New York. Months after railings broke, docks and paving stones were torn up and buildings were flooded by Superstorm Sandy, the Statue of Liberty will finally welcome visitors again. (AP Photo/National Park Service,