If it was really a power surge, many UPS battery backups for computers are pretty good for protection... Im just not sure how much amperage they are capable of allowing, so i wouldn't put too much on them.
I'd be willing to bet you had a heater go bad and overheat the tank, and then possibly burn itself out.
From an electrical standpoint, tying your cords in a knot will only make electrons laugh. It will do nothing. There are a ton of back up's you can do for your power.
Give us some water perimeters.