Linux

I imagine each grid is built to expected temperatures. So if it unusual for the area, it is problematic. I know my parent has similar weather in Ireland about 15 years ago and all the water pipes were frozen so they lost running water. That was about 15 degrees c colder than usual, about 10 degrees colder than I ever remember growing up. Texas has had recurrent problems too with their grid. Australia has had problems due to flooding. It’s just another effect of global warming.

It's probably due to ice and wind. Ice freezes on power lines and the wind causes the lines to "gallop." Look up some videos of galloping lines. With more infrastructure going underground where it can, this is becoming less of an issue obviously. But it's not just inches of snow and temperatures that cause the problems.

Yes, the US grid is that bad (especially the profoundly corrupt Texas utility).

But in Linus's case, it was just a big fucking tree that came down on his street. That tree looks like a scary mess to clear.

I've lived my entire life in Portland. This is the coldest Portland's gotten in my memory. We spent most of the weekend without power in a house hovering around 40F (4C). Four people are known to have died so far, including one from a tree falling on his bedroom. Is it not as cold as your neck of the woods? Sure. But it's very, very unusual for it to be this cold, so it hits harder when it does happen.