A freak hurricane wrought widespread damage to the district on the 4th October, 1945. In Punta Gorda Town it was estimated that 80% of the houses were damaged, and streets and bridges were wrecked. Monkey River Town also suffered severely. This disaster was notable for the heroism of several persons, in particular that displayed by the District Nurse (Mrs. E. D. Lemott) for which she was awarded the British Empire Medal.

Excerpt from: Anderson A.H., 1963. Historical Sketch of British Honduras.