Internet focuses on viral push to clean Statue of Liberty amid flash floods in New York and New Jersey

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: As severe flash floods struck New Jersey and New York on Monday, July 14, a viral Clean Statue of Liberty movement spread across social media, calling on authorities to clean the monument before the US’ 250th Independence Day in 2026.

More than 50 million people throughout the Northeast are under flood watches, as flash flooding has caused significant delays to New York City transportation. 

Internet focuses on Clean Statue of Liberty movement amid flash floods

It is unclear who started the movement, but people on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) are posting a timeline of the Statue of Liberty showing its change in color.

An X user, @AlecStapp, wrote, "We should clean the Statue of Liberty and unveil its shiny color on July 4th next year for the 250th anniversary of American independence." 

The post included an old and current picture of the monument, depicting how its color changed from a shiny orange-gold shade to a faded green. Similarly, another X user posted, "Trump should clean the Statue of Liberty to celebrate America's 250th birthday. Internet. Do your thing and make this happen!"

An X page, @DramaAlert, also wrote, "There is a movement to clean the statue of liberty next year for America's 250th anniversary."

Meanwhile, an earlier post from an X user showed the original color of the monument, with the caption reading, "This is what the statue of liberty looks like without the green patina of oxydization on it. Maybe she needs a power wash to celebrate the 250th of America?"

Another social media user chimed in and wrote, "We should not clean but wax the Statue of Liberty, and turn it into the Waxed Oxidised Cut Copper Statue of Liberty. It needs more adjectives."

A person also added, "Do the 'clean the Statue of Liberty' guys not wonder why there's tons of copper patina statues around and nobody is 'fixing' them?"

New Jersey declares emergency as thousands stranded, travel halted across East Coast

Heavy rains along the I-95 corridor in the Mid-Atlantic on the night of July 14 prompted flash flood warnings and watches in New York City, the Washington, DC area, and across the region.

Flash floods in the Tri-State area and Virginia led to water rescues, road closures, and transportation delays.

Parts of Virginia were under a flash flood emergency, while New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy declared a state of emergency due to the flooding.

"I am declaring a State of Emergency given flash flooding and high levels of rainfall in parts of the state. Please stay indoors and avoid unnecessary travel. Stay safe, New Jersey," Murphy announced in a social media post.

Meanwhile, the National Weather Service warned that life-threatening flooding was possible in western Union County, New Jersey.

The NYPD Transportation Bureau released a statement on X, noting that flooding on the Cross Bronx Expressway at Jerome Avenue had blocked traffic in both directions.

"Consider alternate routes and expect delays," the agency stated.

Travelers across the country continued to face disruptions, with 1,966 flights canceled and more than 10,090 delayed nationwide due to the storms, most heavily impacting the East Coast.

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online