The two coastal communities were among the areas in Delaware hardest hit by superstorm Sandy, which left several streets in both towns under water.
But officials and residents said Wednesday that the water has quickly receded. Businesses reopened and residents and public works crews spent the day picking up debris left by the flood waters.
Fenwick Island town manager Merritt Burke IV says some residents will have to replace carpeting and drywall, but that there does not appear to be any major damage to homes.
Bethany Beach Mayor Tony McClenny says he and other residents are lucky that their town did not sustain more damage.
Department of Transportation workers and National Guard members cleared massive amounts of sand from Route 1.
In town, there is still a lot of water on Pennsylvania Avenue, but some residents were able to get in and check their homes for the first time since the storm.
Gov. Jack Markell has ended the state of emergency he declared for Delaware as Hurricane Sandy approached.
Markell lifted the state of emergency Wednesday afternoon after Sussex County officials reported that all evacuation zones were inspected for safety and cleared to reopen.
The states of emergency for Kent and New Castle counties ended Tuesday.
Shelters in each county at Indian River High School, Dover High School and William Penn High School that had remained open Tuesday night closed Wednesday morning.
While ending the state of emergency, Markell authorized the Delaware National Guard to continue providing support for storm cleanup and damage assessment operations.
Official said homeowners and business owners should report property damage to their local emergency office.
