Irene's fierce winds and flooding claimed at least 41 victims across 11 states over the weekend.
The dead ranged in age from 11 to 89, many killed by falling trees, weather-related car accidents, drowning or surfing in dangerous waters.
One man in his 50s was electrocuted in New York on Sunday when he tried to save a child who had gone into a flooded street with downed wires.
The child is in serious condition in the hospital.
A father in Pennsylvania was killed Sunday when he pushed his son out of the way of a falling tree branch.
Flooding caused by the storm will remain a big problem in many states for days to come.
Vermont, which saw three Irene-related deaths, experienced its worst flooding in a century.
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About 4 million people are without power, and electricity may stay out for days some places, President Obama said. The storm leaves behind billions in damage.