PAXTON, Mass. - Severe winds and thunderstorms leading to downed trees and wires in parts of Paxton. As cleanup efforts were underway, residents in the area said this was the worst storm they've seen in years.

“We've been here for 24 years," Jim Horton said, "The (2008) ice storm was at least pretty; this is just pretty nasty all the way around.”

Horton said Tuesday evening’s storm came and went quickly, but now he’s got 30 to 40 downed trees around his property.

“Multiple claps of thunder, sounded like a freight train going through and then hail," Horton said. "And ten minutes later, the sun was out and major decimation.”

As 911 calls came in, Fire Chief Michael Pingitore said it was time to respond to and assess damage.

“We found a lot of trees were on homes," Pingitore said. "People were stuck in their driveways. About 300 or so customers without power from the municipal light department.”

Now, as residents cleanup, many had power restored as of Wednesday afternoon. Ryan Plourde said his family’s house lost power for about 12 hours and he couldn’t immediately get there to help.

“War zone, like, post-apocalyptic. Couldn't get back to the house," Plourde said. "We had to park up the street. Couldn't get down the road. Fire trucks, ambulances everywhere, lights and sirens.”

“If you're in an impacted neighborhood on the West side of Paxton, don't go near any downed power lines," Pingitore said. "Don't try and move any power lines and, call the Paxton Light Department or 911 if, if you need help with a downed power line right now.”