In reality, systems and backup systems are designed to protect for reduced power (brownouts) and lack of power (blackouts) and power spikes, such as lightening strikes...BUT power surges, which may last several minutes, overloading primary, and depending on duration, backup systems, are obviously a different issue.
While a loss of power or power reduction is protected within backup systems, sustained power surges are not typically protected, as a redirect of power is difficult.
It will be interesting to see, while the BA issue was newsworthy, what other systems were affected, if any.