Depends on the size & intensity of the CME. We do get them more often then people realize. For example the Carrington Event occurred in 1859 caused sparking on telegraph wires plus some operators getting shocked. I doubt remember reading as to whether anyone got significantly hurt.
I agree, but that event was with the magnetosphere still intact? I’m thinking if it was stripped away when it hit it would have been a whole different ballgame?
Since we are talking about CME events, I don’t know if you are hip to this guy’s site or not, but it’s very good and I think you would like it. I check it everyday out of curiosity. Fantastic assembly of real time solar data monitoring! :)