About a quarter of a million Australian homes and businesses have no power after a “once in a decade” storm battered Sydney and nearby areas. About 4,500 people have been isolated by flood waters as “the roads are cut off and we won't be able to reach them for a few days,” Michael Langley, spokesman for the New South Wales State Emergency Service said. Devastating winds lashed cars and homes. The storm system also brought destructive flooding that washed away houses and brought down trees onto streets and buildings. The emergency services have been slammed with 13,000 calls for help due to flooding and have carried out 144 rescue tasks. The powerful storm has already claimed four lives, according to New South Wales Police. The adverse weather was caused by an intense low pressure system, said Australia's Bureau of Meteorology. The strongest wind gusts peaked at 135 km/h (85 mph) and it was estimated that about 200 millimeters (7.87 inches) of rainfall fell in the area on Tuesday. 1. How is the storm described as? ……………………………………………………………………………….……. 2. What followed the storm? ……………………………………………………………………………….……. 3. How many rescue tasks have been carried out? ……………………………………………………………………………….……. 4. Have there been any deaths because of the storm? ……………………………………………………………………………….……. 5. What is the cause of the storm? ……………………………………………………………………………….…….