CAPE CORAL, Fla. — Strong winter winds are whipping Southwest Florida and wreaking havoc on Christmas displays.

It’s so severe that the Cape Coral Christian Church had to shut down its 80-foot Christmas village on what would have been one of its biggest nights. Other displays were torn apart on the property along Chiquita Boulevard.

“I think we’re the saddest because this is the weekend before all of the Christmas activities when families typically come out, and having to call it off for three nights is kind of a bummer,” said lead pastor Cory Demmel.

With the worst storm yet to come, many families fear they may miss this year’s display altogether.

“It’s very disappointing. It’s so sad. We all look forward to the Christmas cheer, especially with all of the decorations because we don’t get snow… so we like all of the extras,” Ryann Urban of Cape Coral.

Homeowners like Donna Cole and her son Matthew spent hours putting up their yard decorations only to have Mother Nature knock many of them down.

‘It’s kind of weird weather right now,” Cole said.

She’s hoping what could become Tropical Storm Scrooge doesn’t ruin their Christmas.

“We were kind of looking for the holidays to be uplifting and all the people who have lost so much,” Cole concluded.