Flooding hit the Coachella Valley in October. If water reached your kitchen or the power cut out, this guide sets out what the CDC and FoodSafety.gov advise for the appliances you rely on, including GE Monogram. The source is named for every step.
Safety first
- Smell gas? Gas utilities such as SoCalGas advise getting out of the area and calling from a safe place. The CDC adds that lights and anything that could spark should be avoided, and that you should stay out until it is declared safe.
- Standing in water? The CDC says electrical appliances should never be used while you stand in water.
- Generator? Outdoors only, never inside a home, garage, carport or porch (CDC).
Last checked: October 14, 2026. Flood alerts and road conditions change by the hour, so use the official links at the end.
What happened in the Coachella Valley
KESQ reported flooding in the Coachella Valley on October 11 as Storm Rachel’s rain arrived. We have no report of which homes in Cathedral City lost power or took on water, so this page is general, for any home where the kitchen got wet or the power went out.
If water reached your kitchen
- Let appliances dry completely before use, and have a certified electrician check anything you are unsure about (CDC).
- Avoid floodwater. It may contain sewage, and food that touched it should be discarded (CDC).
If the power was out
- Keep the refrigerator and freezer doors closed. FoodSafety.gov says a refrigerator holds food safe for about 4 hours, then perishable food should be discarded.
- Freezer: about 48 hours when full, about 24 hours when half full (FoodSafety.gov).
- Never taste food to test it. Food above 40°F for more than 2 hours should be discarded (FoodSafety.gov).
For model-specific steps
Check the owner guide from GE Appliances for your exact model.
Need GE Monogram repair in Cathedral City or the valley?
Questions after the flooding
Can I use my Monogram appliance if water got into the kitchen?
The CDC says appliances should be completely dry before use and that electrical appliances should never be used while standing in water. For anything you are unsure about, it advises a certified electrician check it first.
How long can food stay in my Monogram refrigerator without power?
FoodSafety.gov says about 4 hours in a refrigerator with the door kept closed, then perishable food such as meat, poultry, fish, eggs and leftovers should be discarded. A full freezer lasts about 48 hours and a half-full one about 24 hours.
Should I keep food that touched floodwater?
No. The CDC says floodwater may contain sewage and that food that touched it should be discarded.
I smell gas near my range. What now?
Gas utilities such as SoCalGas advise getting out of the area and calling from a safe place. The CDC adds that lights and anything that could spark should be avoided until it is declared safe.
Can I run a generator to keep the refrigerator cold?
Only outdoors. The CDC says never to run a generator or other gasoline engine in a home, basement, garage, carport or porch, or within 20 feet of a door, window or vent.
Where do I find instructions for my Monogram model?
The owner guide from GE Appliances is the source for your exact model. The model number is usually on a label on the appliance.
Official resources
- CDC: Reentering Your Flooded Home – wet appliances, generators, gas and floodwater.
- FoodSafety.gov: Food Safety During a Power Outage – how long food lasts without power.
- Alert RivCo – Riverside County emergency alerts.
- NWS San Diego – forecasts and warnings.
- Ready.gov: Floods – flood preparation and recovery.
- American Red Cross – shelter and recovery help.
- SoCalGas: Emergency Information – gas-smell emergency steps.
- GE Appliances – owner guides for your model.
Prepared by the GE Monogram Repair Expert team from the sources named. Last checked October 14, 2026. It is not a diagnosis of your appliance.