Phone lost power after thunder storm in Seattle area

Question

I was shopping in Fred Meyer when the power in the store went out, right after a thunderstorm. I figured I'd use the Flashlight app on my iPhone (Edge/2.0), but noticed an odd icon on the phone with a thin slice of red in the battery:
power plug + arrow + lightning bolt
My phone had lost all power right after the thunderstorm. Has anyone else experienced this? I spoke to a friend who said he had to recharge his phone yesterday, but he doesn't remember the time. For me, it was around 11:32 am.
The phone was not plugged into anything, it was in my pocket. (And know, I didn't go any further and try to see if the Flashlight app would work).

Answer 1

It doesn't take a direct lightning strike to fry delicate electronics like a computer or phones.   And surge protectors do not provide any protection against lightning whatsoever.
The lightning strike could have been miles away, it would not have to be right at your building.  There could even have been a ground strike in your neighborhood that has no physical evidence you could see.  And it wouldn't even have to be a ground strike - cloud-to-cloud strikes can generate as much EMP or EMI as a ground strike.
The EMP/EMI induced by lighning could also have come in via your phone line or internet connection, not just the power line.  Even the ground line can end up being a conductor.