ALBANY - An unexpected rain and wind storm Saturday afternoon snapped tree branches and downed wires, causing traffic snarls and at least one small fire in North Albany.

Calls to emergency services started coming in at about 3:30 p.m.

Wind caused trees to crack, leaving debris on the roadway just west of North Albany Road on Highway 20.

"There was a top of a tree that was broken off and laying on top of some of the wiring," said Lt. Chuck Harris of the Albany Fire Department.

He said three power lines were fully downed, one of which at Spring Hill Drive and Country Club Road "caused a fire and burned up some trees and arborvitae next to the golf course."

At least three people called in to say a branch had fallen onto their vehicles, causing damage but no injuries.

AnneMarie Knepper

Crews closed Spring Hill Drive from Quarry Road to the north end of Spring Hill Country Club.

At Creswell Lane at Highway 20, a caller described how a tree came down and across the power lines and was hanging over the eastbound lane of the highway.

Also in Albany, large tree limbs fell onto a residence in the 600 block of Ninth Avenue S.W. causing minor damage. No one was home at the time, but the owner was alerted to the situation by a neighbor.

Elsewhere, there were also downed wires on East Lacomb Road and North Lake Creek Drive.

Debris also hampered traffic on Coburg Road, Meridian Road and Old Salem Road among others.

Electricity service was disrupted for many residents, mostly in North Albany. Pacific Power, Consumers Power and other crews were busy responding Saturday night.