were fears of substantial loss of life as no contact had been made with the hardest hit islands. A photographer who took images of the devastation from the air, stated that it would be a miracle if there was not a large loss of life. On Anuta 90% of houses remained intact, and 70% of crops undamaged. Communication was lost with the island for a week. Vanuatu was inundated with seawater with villagers collecting fish from their village greens. Fiji During December 26, the FMS issued a strong wind warning for the Fijian dependency of Rotuma, where periods of heavy rain, squally thunderstorms and wind gusts of up to were expected. The strong wind warning was subsequently cancelled two days later, before further strong wind warnings were issued for the Fijian islands of Viti Levu, Yasawa, Mamanuca, Kadavu, Vatulele and nearby smaller islands as the system moved south-eastwards during December 30. During the following day, Zoe passed about to the west of Nadi on the island of Viti Levu, before the strong wind warnings were cancelled as 2003 opened. The system produced heavy rain over most of the Fijian islands, as well as strong to marginal gale-force winds, over western and southwestern parts of the island nation. People who lived along the southwestern coasts of Viti Levu reported seeing large waves out to sea, however, according to the FMS none of these waves inundated land areas. There was also no damage was recorded in Fiji from Zoe. Aftermath Within days of Zoe's passage, the government of the Solomon Islands declared the affected islands disaster zones. Relief supplies were sent from Honiara by January 5 and international aid followed shortly thereafter. Requests for assistance from New Zealand, Australia and France were made by the Solomon Islands. For nearly a week, residents on Tikopia survived without aid by drinking coconut milk and eating what remained of their food stocks. The first relief vessel finally arrived in the island on January 6, bringing medical supplies and food. Although the island's residents had no warning prior to Zoe's arrival, it was found that they took notice of natural warning signs and sought shelter in caves, resulting in no loss of life. Additional supplies were shipped to Anuta on January 6 by a local ship. Supplies were delayed for days by Solomon Island police as they requested further pay before shipping supplies to the islands.