As the rainy season arrives, we have the usual 'black outs' during the thunderstorms. The power goes off at the arrival of the storm and returns once the storm has subsided. Do the Electric Authority actually shut down the system as a precaution?

Not here in the big city but can not speak for your area. Lightning tripping out overloads is normally the cause here and usually restored immediately or within a few minutes.

We had a big storm here the other day and as the norm a power cut followed lasting about 8 hours (early evening till about 2am) when these storms hit my wife turns the tv off and unplugs everything

( i think this has something to do with the system here doesn't have an earth wire unlike the uk)

good job i have a laptop ,, so its a case of grab the cooling powder go shower cover yourself in the said powder until you look mr m jackson and go to sleep (if you can)

Ps its throwing it down again (time check 12.40pm

In heavy thunderstorms it is a good idea to unplug expensive items.

I had a cd player killed by an electrical spike............