At a friends house a tree limb fell on the power line going to the house. The surge caused everything electric to fry.
We talked with professionals about surge protectors. It is possible to put a surge protector to the whole house. We choose to get the highest protector(s) and put everything of any value connected to surge proctectors: microwave, refrigerator, long arm, all computers and sewing machines, TV. The clocks/radios and lights aren't protected.