Gregory Daco, of IHS Global Insight said rebuilding activity probably will keep the slowdown from being even worse. He spoke Tuesday at an online conference of the National Association for Business Economics.

Chief Economist of the Associated General Contractors of America said there will be a "modest and gradual" improvement in construction hiring. Ken Simonson said rebuilding will take a while because it takes time to clear away debris, get insurance payments and government aid, apply for numerous permits, and design new buildings.

Meantime, a top economic official from hard-hit New Jersey said electric power is being restored, most roads and ports are open and the casinos are doing business. But Charlie Steindel of the state's treasury department also said problems remain with passenger rail service and supplies of gasoline.