[sleepygardener]

I'm not native english speaker and I'm wondering if this is the correct use of the word "hardly". I expect that to mean "not" or "almost not". "hardly hit" would mean "hit very little". Or am I confused?

[tomerv]

Yes, "areas (that were) hit hard" is more idiomatic in this case.

[rjtavares]

I believe you are correct (I'm also not a native speaker).