It depends in part, on the length of conductors. In the 1989 magnetic storm, long-distance lines in Quebec were blown, while shorter length runs weren't as bad

It depends in part, on the length of conductors. In the 1989 magnetic storm, long-distance lines in Quebec were blown, while shorter length runs weren't as badly affected. Multiple short spans not all lined up the same way but carrying the same amount of power, is far less vulnerable than one 1000 km long wire. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/March_1989_geomagnetic_storm https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/March_1989_geomagnetic_storm