What causes a power outage during a thunderstorm?

Question

We just had a big thunderstorm here which resulted in the power going out for about an hour or so. What causes that?

Answer 1

Power surges cause an overload in a transfomer and cause the breaker to go off...

Answer 2

Usually it is caused by lightning striking the power distribution system and causing equipment overload and failures.  This can damage transformers, insulators and fuses on the power lines.  Also there can be storm damage like trees falling on power lines and such.

Answer 3

Strong winds, or lighting stiking transmitters, or trees falling on the power lines.

Answer 4

Whenever I call, they say it's squirrels.  It's become a family joke--thunder, lightning, 50 mph winds, but according to the utility company, those squirrels just keep hanging on chewing the power lines.

But seriously, some of the top causes include these:

- Storms (lightning, high winds, ice, snow and rain) damaging the lines

- Trees and branches (contacting electric lines)

- Accidents (cars hitting poles)

- Equipment failure (from corrosion, wear and aging parts)

- Protective relay equipment on power lines that works like the circuit breakers in homes and automatically cuts off power for safety