U.S. President Barack Obama will visit the storm-battered state of New Jersey Wednesday as residents struggle to recover from one of the worst natural disasters ever to hit the region.

Mr. Obama and New Jersey Governor Chris Christie — a Democrat and Republican normally at odds with one another — are expected to view the damage together and thank emergency workers for their efforts. On Tuesday Christie praised the Obama administration for what he said is an “outstanding” response to the powerful storm, Sandy.

While an army of rescue and utility workers started working to clean up in the aftermath of the storm, there are signs that the worst-hit areas along the U.S. east coast are starting to recover.

The New York Stock Exchange will open for trading Wednesday, after a rare two-day closure. Two of New York's three airports are beginning limited services, though the third — LaGuardia International Airport — remains closed because of flood damage.

Airports, rail services, and local public transport are also resuming services in other cities along the Eastern seaboard.

The president has declared “major disasters” in New York and New Jersey, freeing up federal funds aimed at offsetting billions of dollars in East Coast property damage.

Sandy, has killed at least 45 people in North America. The storm hit the New Jersey shore late Monday as a powerful tropical storm, causing massive flooding, raging fires and power outages that crippled the New York metropolitan area.

As the storm moves west, it has triggered unseasonably powerful blizzards in the mountains and northern climes. Forecasters say the huge storm is now making its way toward the Great Lakes and Canada's southern border.

The storm killed at least 65 people in the Caribbean last week before moving toward the United States.