A tornado touched down in Leeds on Thursday, Feb. 17. Damage included a few trees blocking neighborhood roadways and a trailer that was sliced in half by a fallen tree on Cedar Avenue. 

According to Chuck Parsons, city fire chief, there were people inside of the trailer, but no injuries. 

Mayor David Miller praised the police and fire departments and public works employees. He said everyone worked quickly to ensure the safety of the residents. He attended the scene until he felt like he was no longer needed.

“The whole Leeds first responders did a magnificent job and I commend you all,” said Miller. “It was a very professional operation from the standpoint of police from the coordination with the fire department and within department.”

Miller said he was glad that the tornado did not follow the arrow that Meteorologist James Spann had originally predicted, which would have gone straight through the middle of downtown Leeds. Besides the scene on Cedar Avenue, the tornado hit the less populated areas of the city.

To stay up to date with all tornado, flash floods and other emergent warnings residents of St. Clair County can sign up for alerts at www.stcema.org.