But in the main the damage of the EMP pulse is fused transistors, so while in a sense it does last forever that's kind of overblowing the situation. The damage of a blown fuse lasts forever but that doesnt in itself make it a biggie.
But it would be a biggie!
Virtually all unprotected electronics would be fused. Cars, cells phones, computers, televisions, radios, CD and DVD players, iPods, kitchen appliances, vibrators, lights, elevators, and anything with embedded chips would fail.
The power grid would be down. No water, electricity, gas, television cable, or phone service of any kind. No 911, no cops or ambulances or hospitals. No trucks or trains or tractors. Planes would fall out of the sky. Ships would become derelict. Collapse of infrastructure. Food shortages, rioting, rape and murder.
Basically a return to the stone age.
Other parts of the country might send aid, but expect a massive human die-off and a severe decline in GDP.
Find Whitley Schrieber's "War Day" in the library if you're interested.