Turning off a branch circuit breaker at an electrical panel is not the same as unplugging the equipment from the wall outlet. Distance...
Take a Square D QO single pole 20 amp breaker. In the open position the two contacts are about 3/4" apart. A several 1000 Volt lightning transient will easily jump that divide... An unplugged power cord from a wall outlet is a lot further than that...
I am a ham also, and I unplug my antenna and throw the coax out the window if I see any lightning on the radar.
I knew a Ham years ago that did the same thing.
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