Editor’s note: Prior to Charley, Frances and Jeanne in Aug. and Sept. 2004, we had Donna on September 10, 1960, but, also, others, of which I here relate two minor unnamed storms.

Tropical Storm Did Light Damage Here

Sept. 26, 1945 - Wauchula and Hardee County emerged from the tropical storm which visited South Florida late Saturday afternoon and Sunday with a minimum loss, and thus was principally citrus fruit blown from the trees. Avon Park and Sebring, west of us, suffered considerably when trees were uprooted and fruit blown from the trees…

In Wauchula the light company suffered the loss of several poles and electricity was cut off for several hours, while some sections of the city did not get electricity until Monday. Trees and limbs were blown across the drives and short currents caused considerable trouble…

The greatest damage here was the electric lines, which threw the city into darkness during the early hours Sunday morning. A few trees were blown down and shrubbery. The stucco on the west side of the J. W. Earnest & Company’s building was loosened by the rain and great sheets of it fell into the street…

Hurricane Wipes Out Young Vegetable Crop In County; Citrus Loss Small In Area

Sept. 19, 1947 - For the first time in years The Florida Advocate is late in reaching its subscribers this week due to conditions and circumstances of which we had no control. Blame it on the hurricane which visited this section Wednesday night and put this city’s electric light and power system out of commission and threw the city in darkness. It was partially restored at noon Thursday, but it was not dependable. We expect to have the papers in the post office early Friday morning.

The storm originated in the South Atlantic about a week ago and moved slowly northwest until opposite Palm Beach and then turned west, striking near Fort Lauderdale and cut across the state, entering the Gulf below Fort Myers.

In the City of Wauchula no heavy damage is reported. The electric lines were down in some sections, a few trees were blown down and tree limbs were scattered along the streets and sidewalks. There were no accidents in the city.

Citrus suffered a small loss in Hardee County though it is impossible to attempt to estimate the loss; it is not expected to be heavy. The vegetable crop was practically wiped out by the heavy rains and winds; the cukes and eggplants were just getting started good and it looked as though there would be a large yield. The farmers were very optimistic. Most of the farmers are planning to plant again.

The electricity was cut off in Wauchula about 11:00 o’clock Wednesday night when the wires were blown down and in order to prevent accident or fires, the electricity was cut off. The city electricians were on the job early Thursday morning and worked like Trojans to restore the power. The telephone company also suffered damage when trees in the rural sections fell across the lines; some poles were also blown down.

All schools in the county were closed Wednesday at noon to permit the students to get home ahead of the hurricane.

Highway Patrolman Miller picked up a broadcast sent out by his department Thursday morning, stating that Punta Gorda and Fort Myers were badly hurt by the storm.

Cuke Crop In County Wiped Out By Rains

Sept. 26, 1947 - 90 Per Cent Of Pepper And Eggplants Also Hard Hit Authorities in the latest survey of the damage of the hurricane which visited this section on Wednesday night of last week are of the opinion that the vegetable crop, especially the cukes, is a complete loss. There is likelihood, however, the farmers who have peppers and eggplants will be able to save a portion of their crop. The heavy rains incident to blow which visited South Florida on Monday night added to the loss of the vegetable crops. Rain fell in torrents early Monday evening and a light rain continued throughout the night.

Damage to the citrus crop as a whole was slight. A small portion of the grapefruit was blown off the trees, but the oranges held very well…

The greatest damage in Wauchula was the residential section where the wind played havoc with trees and shrubbery.

On account of the heavy rain, which inundated several of the county roads and washed out bridges, the school board ordered the schools closed for several days…

This as, “History: Hardee Hurricanes,” was published in The Herald-Advocate of August 17, 2006, 3C.