IPhone charging when storm knocked out power?

So I was charging my iPhone when the lights flickered and the power went out, I didn't have it in a surge strip, I know I should have be will in the future. I unplugged my phone and checked it and all seemed to be fine and still is. My question is… Can a power outage hurt or fry my phone or would it have to be a surge to damage it? And if so would there be immediate signs of damage if phone was hurt during outage or power surge? Can the phone handle a power outage or surge when plugged in if only happened few times or is there always damage done even if minimal and unnoticeable at first?

Yes

The surge does the damage. Get a surge protector, buy a good one. Do not go cheap to protect expensive equipment.

It's possible, but the surge is likely to fry the charging adapter before it reaches the phone.