I have been told that lightening strikes are very hard to protect because they are so strong they can jump the gap when the fuse is fried. But I guess it is determined about how far away the strike occurs. Most of the problems we have are the regular dirty surges that would never harm an incandescent light bulb, but over the long term are destructive to computers.
In my situation, the lightning hit a tree right outside my house. So, at least it did not hit my house and start it on fire.
A guy in my office lost pretty much all the expensive electronic equipment in his house one time when it got hit by lightning. Enough that he claimed it on his home owners policy. As he was complaining about it I reminded him he should be grateful his house did not catch on fire and burn down.