The telegraph network back then had very poor shielding as did other electic components. We've come a long way in 150 years. When there are ice storms in North

The telegraph network back then had very poor shielding as did other electic components. We've come a long way in 150 years. When there are ice storms in North Carolina where I grew up transformers would explode by the dozen each night but this didn't keep the power off for more than a few days. I doubt a flare would destroy transformers wholesale but even if it did we'd probably not be too bad off for long.