GLOUCESTER, Mass. -- Another round of snow, slush and rain hit a winter-weary Bay State Monday as North Shore residents were still trying to recover from the storm last week that left thousands without power.

Some Massachusetts towns may remain without power, but state emergency management officials were hopeful everyone would be back online before the day was over.

Gov. Deval Patrick met with representatives from National Grid and emergency response teams on Sunday, touring the hard-hit Essex County and Merrimack Valley communities that were slammed with high winds and heavy rains last Thursday night. The storm knocked over trees, downed power lines and ripped off roofs.

Patrick’s tour on Sunday was his first survey of damage since the storm socked the state, sapping power from about 90,000 residents.

By Sunday afternoon, National Grid reported that 5,498 customers were still without power, primarily in Essex County and the Merrimack Valley near the New Hampshire border.

Officials were traveling the state to catalog damage for possible financial help. Patrick said residential and commercial property owners also should note damage and include photos to support insurance claims and other requests for financial help.

"We don't know if we're eligible for any federal help for private property owners but we're going to gather information to see if it reaches that level," he said.