New York: Photos show damage to Lady Liberty’s dock and walkway

The Statue of Liberty National Monument has turned to social media to keep fans updated on damage to the 126-year-old statue inflicted by Superstorm Sandy.

The landmark has been closed since Oct. 29 when the storm that left more than 110 people dead swept into New York and New Jersey. It remains closed indefinitely, as does nearby Ellis Island National Monument where more than 12 million immigrants once entered the United States.

Before-and-after photos posted on the monument’s Facebook page show brick pavers ripped up from a walkway on the north side of 12-acre Liberty Island. Another pair of photos (above) depicts an auxiliary dock that was ravaged by Sandy. The statue itself, however, seems to have escaped unharmed.

“We can now report that the employees of the Statue of Liberty have all been accounted for, and the next step is surveying the damage and attempting to clean up the islands,” a message posted Monday said.

“Over the next few days, we will share images of the islands, but mostly we’ll be providing updates about the recovery process,” the post continues. “For now, both Liberty and Ellis islands will remain closed until further notice, and we cannot speculate as to a potential reopening date.”

Lady Liberty had just undergone a $30-million renovation that included new steps to the crown and other upgrades that were showcased for just one day before the storm hit.

Visitors who have bought Statue Cruises tickets to visit one or both national monuments while they are closed may reschedule or request a refund, according to the company’s website.

They also may exchange them for a 60-minute Statue of Liberty Harbor Cruise, though as of Tuesday afternoon the cruises were shut down and planned to reopen Thursday.

For more information, contact Statue Cruises online, or call (877) 523-9849 or (201) 432-2290.

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Mary.Forgione@latimes.com
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