Boston ? Gov. Mitt Romney lifted the state of emergency for Massachusetts on Sunday, deactivating the National Guard and sending a signal that the worst of the weather problems is over.

Under blue skies near the banks of the swollen Merrimack River, Romney said by and large the state was returning to normal.

About 1,000 people were evacuated from their homes on Saturday after driving rains and flooding washed out bridges and roads, flooded basements and pressured dams.

“The all clear will be sounded on a local basis,” Romney said. “Recognize we were ready for something more substantial than hit. We have to be.”

Romney said the state Emergency Management Agency was still monitoring conditions as high winds were expected throughout the day.

The statewide state of emergency in New Jersey was lifted Saturday evening.