Storm of 4th February 1951

Extensive damage was done to the town on the 4th of February 1951 when winds peaking at a speed of 63 mph. ripped through the town from early morning onwards. Slates were torn from roofs, and numerous trees, fences, signs, and roof-mounted aerials were blown down. The Fire Brigade had a very busy day with seven out of eleven calls on being special service calls to remove dangerous structures. The newly installed radios in the fire engines meant that the firemen could be directed from one incident to another without returning to the station.

The Hastings & St Leonards Observer reported that "The sea broke over the promenade at several points and shops displaying produce in free-standing cases had the stock damaged. Mr. Frederick Wenham, aged 73, of 104, Parker Road, was blown off his feet in Harold Place and taken to the Royal East Sussex Hospital with a bruised face and fractured left arm. Trees were blown down in Church Road, St. Leonards, and Braybrooke Road. In Ashburnham Road a tree crashed into the front garden of a house and the roots tore up the pavement. The tops of many street lamps were blown off and in some cases the standards were snapped. Many telephone wires were blown down and communication between Hastings and Pett and several other villages was cut."