Have had the same experience, I always unplug when not using, you can have surges at anytime, you dont need a storm for a surge.
Originally Posted by tjradj
Continue to unplug.
After my experience this summer "blowing up" two power bars when we had power surges, I'm a lot more careful too. The two power bars blew out to the point of bending out the back of the bar and charring the shelf they were on!