CALMAR - A severe thunderstorm rolled through Northeast Iowa, spawning a few small tornadoes and concerns for students as school let out Wednesday afternoon.

The storm stretched across several counties, and spotters and law enforcement officials confirmed tornadoes in Fayette, Chickasaw and Buchanan counties.

The storm's intensity caught some off guard.

"We weren't under a tornado watch or warning or anything," said Ken Rasing, emergency management coordinator for Chickasaw County.

Rasing said the storm damaged a barn two miles south of Fredericksburg and dumped a considerable amount of rain.

To the east, the Fayette County Sheriff's Office confirmed a tornado touched down at about 5 p.m. between Hawkeye and West Union. The twister's path seemed to travel northeast from M Avenue and 220th street, just missing West Union and headed toward Eldorado, Chief Deputy James Davis said.

Sirens sounded in West Union, and the sheriff's office later took reports of minor damage in the area, including a tree that fell on a house.

Funnel clouds were reported near Calmar and Castalia, according to the National Weather Service in Des Moines.

The situation prompted administrators of South Winneshiek School District to direct more than 100 students inside the high school until the storm passed, said Mary Recker, high school principal.

Officials had some advance warning from a weather radio, she added.

"As soon as we heard the weather alert, we pulled the kids back in the building," Recker said.

District buses were already rolling, dropping kids off, but Recker said most were already at their destinations by the time the storm hit.

Spotters also confirmed a tornado near Hawkeye and one east of Hazleton, which likely sent a jolt through many in the community. Hazleton was hit on May 25, 2008, by an F5 tornado that started miles away in Butler County.

A milder version of Wednesday's storm may develop today, according to the National Weather Service. Thunderstorms are possible this afternoon and tonight. Forecasters predict they will be isolated and not severe, however.