All I have is questions:

Why is metal affected to such a high degree by whatever went down?

Why were underground elements affected so much?

Why is damage so precise? In all the fires I've observed (homes unfortunately burn down pretty regularly here due to neglect) neighboring structures and objects always get scorched. What types of fires would exhibit this damage pattern? Perhaps extreme, short duration heat?

Why do local officials want to hide the event from the public?

Why did local officials want to murder their citizens?

What types of people & structures were protected? Chocolate? Alcohol? Mormons? What is the pattern here?

If it was a DEW, what was it targeting? Why the seemingly arbitrary mix of structures/sheds/vehicles?

If it was the electrical grid, why did it hit vehicles as well?

If it was started through a tunnel system why did it hit vehicles that seemed to have no connection to the tunnels?

Maybe if we look at it through the lens of people instead of structures it would make more sense? Like if a DEW was targeting people?