Fiji's clean-up has begun in some areas, but the country's Disaster Management Centre is warning people to prepare for more flooding.
The centre's director, Joeli Cawaki, says people are working round the clock to restore power, water and telecommunications services to affected areas.
After a day's respite, the heavy rain has returned to Fiji, raising surface flooding levels late on Tuesday - and along with that the risk of severe overnight flooding.
Fiji's MetService has put in place heavy rain and high wind warnings throughout the country, and also reinstated its warning of severe flooding as heavy rainfall resumes.
Fiji's MetService says the weather system battering the country is a one-in-50-year event. It has predicted winds averaging 55 kilometres an hour, with periods of heavy rain and squally thunderstorms.
Most of the damage has occurred in low-lying Nadi, where the Nadi River on Tuesday evening burst its banks at high tide, funnelling water through the main street and into shops.
The town's mayor, Timoci Koroiqila, says the water is expected to fill up shops on Tuesday night and residents have been advised to move to higher ground.
The Emergency Operations Centre says the loss of stock, together with damage to waterlogged buildings and roads, will total millions of dollars.
Centres close
The number of evacuees in 101 evacuation centres has dropped to below 6,000 as people begin to return to their homes after flood waters recede in some areas.
Fiji's government says 17 evacuation centres have been closed.
But the Disaster Management Centre says people still need to take precautions because more bad weather is coming.
Three people have died in the floods and four are listed as missing.
Meanwhile, any tourists stranded in their Fijian resorts by bad weather and road washouts have made it to Nadi International Airport on Tuesday and are now trying to leave the country.
But many people are already on standby for flights to New Zealand and Australia, and airline staff are warning passengers that the chance of a seat could be slim on Tuesday.
Appeal launched
An appeal has been launched in Fiji to raise funds to help flood victims.
ANZ in Fiji and the Fiji Times newspaper jointly organised the appeal, which was launched on Monday.
The bank started the appeal with a donation of about $US6,000 and the Fiji Times gave almost $US3,000.
ANZ general manager in Fiji Robert Bell says the money will be given to the Red Cross, which, he says, "is in the best position in Fiji to help flood victims".
The New Zealand Government is to assist Fiji with a donation of $US59,000.
Australia will provide $A150,000 to the Red Cross and Fijian disaster management services.
