FOG BLOG U.S. NEWS LOG: LARGE TORNADO TOUCHES DOWN NEAR BIRMINGHAM ALABAMA!

Photos and videos posted across social media show damaged homes and downed trees after a tornado touched down in Birmingham, Alabama, on Thursday.

The National Weather Service in Birmingham confirmed that a tornado had touched down, urging residents in the area to "TAKE COVER NOW!"

Amid the confirmation from the National Weather Service in the city, Twitter users posted pictures and videos of the damage caused by the tornado.

"Tornado emergency issued for south Birmingham, Alabama," the Intel Point Alerts Twitter account wrote, alongside a video of the tornado from afar. "A large and violent wedge shaped tornado is passing through the southern end of the city at this time. The weather service has called this a 'catastrophic event'!"