Some boats may well have trouble but many of today's boats, when well sailed, can certainly "claw off" a lee shore even in heavy winds. But the wind is only part of the problem, and other factors such as boat/
rig design and crew experience play a huge part in these scenarios. (btw, 32 knots is PLENTY of wind for most folks...)
If your are typically "caught on a lee shore" you're likely to be in shallow water and sea conditions can become quite bad in a hurry... this creates more difficulty in making headway, especially if hard pressed by the breeze. Also, if you happened to be anchored when all this came up, weighing
anchor can be especially difficult and potentially dangerous, and has to be done cleanly before you can attempt to sail away.
So while it's not impossible to do, it's advisable to avoid those kinds of potential situations and, if you do end up there be sure you are ready to flee at a moments notice. The boat should be prepped at all times, you should "have a plan" and in extreme cases be prepared to sacrifice your
ground tackle and simply get out of there.
Paying attention to local weather forecasts, and to those with local knowledge is crucial to avoiding such situations in the first place.
Oh- and Welcome to Sailnet!