Hurricane Michael set off transformer explosions, I read on the Internet.

[raccoon]

In areas where it hit. Of course this caused a lot of loss of power to homes and businesses.

Why would that happen? Was it the High winds or the flooding Caused something to short out?

[Arkansas Granny]

1. I've seen transformer explosions where I live during heavy storms, especially with lightning.

They sound like bombs or high powered fireworks going off.

[GusBob]

2. During hurricane Charley at one point there were so many transformers blowing that it looked like

the shy was lighting up from lightening

[HAB911]

3. Direct short to ground

From Popular Mechanics:

When flooded with too much electricity, the sudden surge can cause a transformer explosion. As transformers detect an energy spike, they’re programmed to turn off, but it can take up to 60 milliseconds for the shutdown. However fast those milliseconds may seem, they still may be too slow to stop the electrical overload.

A chamber full of several gallons of mineral oil keeps the circuits cool, but given too much electricity, the circuits fry and melt, failing in a shower of sparks and setting the mineral oil aflame. Mineral oil, in turn, combusts explosively and rockets transformer scything into the air.

All it takes is a trigger, a corroded or faulty wire, and the circuits surge will get ahead of the breaker.


Read more: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/what-makes-transformers-explode-101228674/#W9jezP42bmiYjvp7.99

[janterry]

4. It happens all the time in FL during big storms

We'd hear them.....and then the power would flicker once.

And then it was gone.

I don't know much about electricity, but I did want to chime in to say.......it's not all that rare down there.