I had a lightning strike near the house and it blew out several things in
four houses total, mine got the worse of it.

However, my computer was on a UPS and the network connection went to a
router then to the modem.

The UPS, cable modem, and router were fried (along with other things in the
house) but the computer itself was unaffected.

So, I doubt a normal electrical storm, etc. would blow out a drive or USB
drive.

-g