Four people were injured and multiple structures were heavily damaged after a tornado touched down in west Jefferson County Tuesday evening, according to the county emergency emergency management agency.

Jefferson County EMA director Jim Coker said two of the injured were taken to hospitals, and two others were treated at the scene.

Randy Christian, chief deputy of the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office, said the injuries were minor.

Christian said 12 homes sustained major damage and numerous homes had lesser damage. The damage is most severe along a line from Lou George Loop to Pocahontas Road to Dickey Springs Road at Lindsey Loop.

Several downed trees took out power lines and blocked roadways in this area. Jefferson County deputies and Bessemer police diverted traffic while crews cut the trees away.

Two houses in a subdivision near Pine Valley Drive and Augusta Lane off Dickey Springs Road. Two homes next to each other had their roofs and doors blown off.

The family in one of the homes declined to speak to media but said they were not home at the time and no one was hurt.

Construction crews arrived and began patching up the houses shortly after the storm passed.

Coker urged people to stay away from the storm damaged areas to keep roads clear for emergency vehicles and Alabama Power and Alagasco crews.

"We don't need people to go out sightseeing," Coker said.

Firefighters and deputies this evening are still conducting a house to house search. There are no known persons unaccounted for, Christian said.

Power was still out for most of the area between Lindsey Loop Road and Pocahontas Road several hours after the storm passed.

A shelter is being set up at Oasis of Praise Church on Pocahontas Road. The Red Cross is on the way, Christian said.

Among the damaged buildings was Grace Life Baptist Church.

"We've got a steeple blown down and it looks like there's part of the building where the roof was lifted up," said Will Nahrgang, mission and discipleship pastor for the church. "It's a big mess."

No one was at the church at the time and, as far as they can tell, no members were injured although some did have trees on their houses.

"We're thankful for that," Nahrgang said.

AL.com reporter Carol Robinson contributed to this report.

9:45pm media update: Power outages statewide at 5100. Birmingham area: 3100; Gadsden area: 1548; Jasper area: 180; Mobile area: 280. #alwx — Alabama Power (@alabamapower) March 2, 2016

Tornado Warning for extreme southeast Talladega County. This warning is for an area south and east of Sylacauga. — Anniston Police Dept (@AnnistonPD) March 2, 2016

Tornado Warning

Issued: March 01 at 6:44PM CST

Expiring: March 01 at 7:15PM CST:Clay; Coosa; Talladega — Alabama EMA (@AlabamaEMA) March 2, 2016