BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- At least four people were injured Tuesday after a tornado left a trail of damage southwest of Birmingham, an emergency official said.

National Weather Service meteorologist Jason Holmes said the storm hit early Tuesday evening near Bessemer, about 15 miles southwest of Birmingham.

Jefferson County Emergency Management Agency director Jim Coker said firefighters responding to the area found four people injured. He said their conditions are unknown, but two were taken to a hospital.

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Coker said some homes were damaged, but he was unsure how severely. Trees and power lines were also toppled.

Jefferson County Sheriff's Sgt. Jack Self told CBS affiliate WIAT there was moderate damage to homes in the Pocahontas Road area, including downed trees and power lines.

Self said emergency response teams were going house to house in the area, checking on people and clearing the roads for ambulances to come through.

He said power was out in the Dickey Springs Bessemer/McCalla area. Roads were blocked by debris.

Alabama Power spokeswoman Katie Bolton said there were 6,800 power outages statewide, with 3,300 in the Birmingham area.

The twister touched down near Interstate 459 and tracked close to the Bent Brook Golf Club.