ST. LOUIS (AP) - Heavy rains that swept through the state are being blamed for two deaths in the St. Louis area and another in Columbia.

Officials say 49-year-old Joan Dankner of Ladue died today after she was hit by a tree limb during the storm.

And in University City, a man was found dead behind a home with a flooded backyard. Authorities suspect the elderly man drowned. His name has not been released.

Rescue workers say 21-year-old Michelle Runkle's body was found today in Columbia after she was likely swept away by rising floodwaters while trying to help another man.

Some sections of the state got up to 7 inches of rain, accompanied by winds that spiked as high as 60 mph. At one point, about 60,000 customers of AmerenUE were without power in St. Louis city, St. Louis County and Jefferson County. Emergency workers reported several water rescues in the St. Louis area.

Parts of southwest Missouri also got 7 inches and low-land flooding was reported in many areas.

The sudden rain is causing rivers to swell yet again, including the Meramec, the Missouri and the Mississippi. Major flooding is predicted at several communities including St. Louis, St. Charles and Ste. Genevieve.

In Arnold, the Meramec is expected to reach major flood stage for the third time this year. Fortunately, the town never took down sandbags that were put in place during the first flood in March.

In St. Charles County, the Missouri is expected to reach more than 11 feet above flood stage, threatening seven private levees.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)