Weather officials refer to Sandy as "remnants," and by Thursday, these had stopped producing significant warnings. But as Sandy finally dies out, the tragedy has only begun for some.

Under calmer, sunlit skies from Maryland to Rhode Island, politicians, rescuers and journalists in elevated vehicles, boats and copters surveyed the silent wreckage of houses and lives turned to ruin or wiped out completely by a tempest for the record books.

While the leftovers of the superstorm flung its last gales across the Great Lakes on Wednesday, dumped rain on the nation's far northeast corner and sprinkled its last snowflakes below the Mason Dixon Line, Americans picked up the pieces, reconnected power lines and relied on help from authorities, neighbors and their faith.

Dozens of families likely made funeral arrangements, as Sandy claimed at least 56 lives in the United States; 124 total died in all countries in its path.

A running CNN tally reflects a steady restoration of power, but 4.8 million customers remained without electricity Wednesday night in 15 states and the District of Columbia.

Here's a look at how Sandy has affected the United States:

CONNECTICUT

-- Some residents did not evacuate in Hartford/New Haven because they had never experience flooding in their neighborhoods, and had to call on rescuers to help them out of their homes, CNN affiliate WFSB reported.

-- Gov. Daniel Mallory visited shoreline communities hit hardest Wednesday, beginning his tour with a stop at a church.

-- On his Youtube channel, he released aerial video of storm damage. He also announced free rail service for Thursday and Friday to Grand Central station.

-- President Barack Obama signed a disaster declaration for the state, freeing up federal funds.

-- The death toll stands at two, according to Lt. J. Paul Vance, a state police spokesman. The victims -- one of them an Easton firefighter -- were killed by falling trees.

DELAWARE

-- Gov. Jack Markell has ended the state of emergency for Superstorm Sandy, and officials have reopened all previously evacuated areas.

-- Attorney General Beau Biden, son of Vice President Joe Biden, warned residents to keep an eye out for scammers "attempting to defraud homeowners" with phony home repair offers.

-- Delmarva Power predicted power will be fully restored by 6 p.m. Friday.

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

-- Despite the federal government being in disaster mode on a national level, on a local level, things appear to be back to normal in D.C., with government offices, schools, street cleaning and public transportation up and running.

-- Early voting has resumed.

MAINE