Power surges, brownouts etc. don't really exist in large parts of Europe. I also never unplugged my computer(s) in thunderstorms (some of which are on a USP, most of which were simply plugged into mains, no surge protector, no USP) and lost exactly zero computers to that.

One of the few things that actually routinely comes with real surge arresters (i.e. gas-discharge tubes, not the MOVs plastered all over the place) is anything connected to a telephone line, e.g. A/VDSL modems. On some old PBXs for analog lines these were even contained in field-replaceable modules.

Can confirm, I think it's over ten years since my last power glitch. I don't think I've ever even seen a surge protector; UPS I've seen a couple of times at people who run servers at home.

I re-read the article twice and didn’t see him mention he didn’t have a surge suppressor. Did I miss it or are you assuming that he didn’t have a surge suppressor?

As others have said, electronics can get fried by power surges while plugged into even commercial grade surge suppressors. Home grade surge suppressors provide even less protection.

He didn't mention having one either. It's weird not to mention anything at all about surge protection in a story about a power surge destroying important equipment. I'd assume if he had one he'd mention the state it was in after his equipment was destroyed.