Viking Appliances After the Las Vegas Flooding: Safety Steps From Official Sources

Rain from Rachel flooded roads in Las Vegas and brought down power lines in North Las Vegas. If water or a power cut reached your Viking range, oven or refrigerator, here is what public agencies and utilities advise, with the source named for each step.

Last checked: October 14, 2026. Road closures and alerts shift fast, so check the official sources at the end of the page before you head out.

What happened in Las Vegas

Overnight rain and wind from post-tropical cyclone Rachel flooded roads near the Las Vegas Strip on October 11, and high winds downed power lines in North Las Vegas, where NV Energy crews were working (FOX5 Las Vegas, Oct 11). This page does not say which homes lost power or were affected by water. It is a general guide for any home where the power went out or water got in.

If water reached your kitchen

• Stay out of standing water near outlets and appliances (CDC).
• Let everything dry completely before use. If you are unsure whether a range, oven or refrigerator is safe, the CDC advises having a certified electrician check it.
• Avoid contact with floodwater. The CDC notes it may contain sewage.

If the power went out

• Keep the refrigerator and freezer doors closed. After about 4 hours without power, perishable food in the refrigerator, such as meat, poultry, fish, eggs and leftovers, should be discarded (FoodSafety.gov).
• Freezer timing: about 48 hours if full, about 24 hours if half full (FoodSafety.gov).
• Never taste food to test it. If you are unsure, throw it out (FoodSafety.gov).
• Generators go outdoors only (CDC). See the questions below.

For Viking-specific steps

Models differ. The owner guide from Viking is the source for your exact model.

Questions after the Las Vegas flooding

Can I use my Viking range if water got into the kitchen?

The CDC says appliances should dry completely before they are used, and electrical appliances should never be used while standing in water. If in doubt, a certified electrician should check it, the CDC advises.

What should I do if I smell gas?

Southwest Gas says to exit the area or building immediately, tell others to leave, and avoid anything that could spark, including electric switches. Once you are in a safe place, call 911 and Southwest Gas at 877-860-6020, day or night.

How long can food stay in the refrigerator without power?

FoodSafety.gov puts the limit at about 4 hours for a refrigerator that stays closed. A full freezer lasts about 48 hours and a half-full one about 24 hours. Perishable items above 40°F for more than 2 hours should be thrown out.

Should I keep food that touched floodwater?

The CDC notes floodwater can carry sewage, so food that touched it should be thrown out.

Is it safe to run a generator indoors if the power is out?

No. Generators and other gasoline engines should never run indoors, in a garage, carport or porch, or within 20 feet of a door, window or vent, the CDC warns. The CDC also cautions against connecting a generator to home circuits without an approved device.

Where do I find Viking-specific instructions?

Check the owner guide from Viking for your exact model. The model number is usually on a label on the appliance. Brands differ, and the guide is the source for your model.

Official resources

• CDC: Reentering Your Flooded Home – returning to a flooded home.
• Southwest Gas: Home & Business Safety – what to do if you smell natural gas.
• FoodSafety.gov: Food Safety During a Power Outage – food storage times during an outage.
• NV Energy – outage information for Nevada.
• Clark County Regional Flood Control District – flood information for Las Vegas.
• NWS Las Vegas – forecasts and warnings.
• Ready.gov: Floods – flood preparation and recovery.
• American Red Cross – disaster safety and recovery.

Written by the Viking Repair Pro Las Vegas team. Sources last checked October 14, 2026. These notes repeat what the named agencies and utilities say. They are not a diagnosis of your appliance.