The Alpena Township Fire Department responded to four calls in 14 minutes Wednesday afternoon as a brief but strong rainstorm flashed through Alpena County, firefighters said.

Trees blocked U.S.-23 North at two locations and also fell across Long Rapids Road and Gutchess Road north of Alpena, where a large tree took out three others on its way down. The county road commission assisted with tree removal, bringing in a payloader for the Gutchess tree.

Wires were down in at least one location, although not entangled in the fallen trees. Alpena Power Co. responded promptly to the scene at the 8200 block of U.S.-23, where wires were down in close proximity to a tree that had been felled by lightning.