U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano visited New York City on Sunday. Though she praised the response to the storm, she recognized that much work remains to be done.

"This is going to be here for the long term. And we are here for the long term as well," she said.

More than 369,000 people in New Jersey, New York, and Connecticut have registered for assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which will total more than $455 million, FEMA said.

In his weekly radio address Sunday, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg detailed the city's relief and rebuilding efforts, including the Rapid Repairs program, which sends teams of inspectors, electricians, carpenters and contractors building-to-building to identify repairs needed, help building owners make repairs and get them reimbursed by the federal government for repair work.

In that vein, the mayor signed an emergency order Monday waiving all city application and permit fees for those doing Sandy-related repairs. Plus, those buildings with "significant structural damage" that will need to be demolished, altered or rebuilt "will have their repair work fees waived and all fees for electrical and plumbing repair work ... waived."

Bloomberg, along with the city council speaker and city comptroller, later Monday announced a a $500 million "emergency capital spending plan to make critical repairs to public schools and public hospitals." This comes after the city authorized $134 million for projects like fixing the Battery Park Overpass, repairing ferry terminals, conducting electrical and water line inspections and removing debris.