Media mogul Oprah Winfrey has strongly denied viral social media claims that she refused to open her private road in Maui as thousands of Hawaii residents fled to higher ground following tsunami warnings triggered by one of the strongest earthquakes ever recorded. The 8.8-magnitude quake off Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula on Tuesday sent 15-foot waves across the Pacific, forcing mass evacuations across multiple nations.
A spokesperson for the billionaire television personality insisted that reports of the road closure were “false” and confirmed that law enforcement officials were actively managing traffic through the private route, allowing 50 vehicles at a time to ensure safe passage to higher ground. The statement came as gridlocked traffic and evacuation chaos gripped the Hawaiian islands.
As soon as we heard the tsunami warnings, we contacted local law enforcement and FEMA [Federal Emergency Management Agency] to ensure the road was opened,” Winfrey’s spokesperson told multiple media outlets. “Any reports otherwise are false. Local law enforcement are currently on site helping residents through 50 cars at a time to ensure everyone’s safety. The road will remain open as long as necessary.”
Sixth Strongest Earthquake Ever Recorded
The massive earthquake struck approximately 84 miles east-southeast of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, Russia, at around 7:24 PM EST on Tuesday, marking the sixth strongest earthquake ever recorded globally. The US Geological Survey confirmed the quake reached magnitude 8.8 at a depth of just 13 miles, making it the most powerful seismic event on Earth in 14 years.
The last earthquake of comparable strength was the devastating 9.1-magnitude tremor that struck northeast Japan in 2011, triggering the Fukushima nuclear disaster and leaving 19,747 people dead or missing. Tuesday’s quake matched the intensity of both the 2010 earthquake in Chile and the 1906 Ecuador earthquake, which killed 1,500 people.
Russian emergency officials reported tsunami waves reaching 10 to 13 feet in the Kamchatka region, with the fishing port of Severo-Kurilsk flooded as boats were swept out to sea. Despite the quake’s intensity, Russian authorities reported no serious injuries, though several buildings sustained damage and thousands were evacuated from coastal areas.
Hawaii Braces for Impact as Waves Strike
The first tsunami waves hit Hawaii at 8:20 PM local time (2:20 AM EST), with water levels exceeding 5 feet in Haleiwa on Oahu’s north shore and reaching 5.7 feet at Kahului, Maui. The waves caused flooding in multiple locations, though Hawaii Governor Josh Green later confirmed no widespread damage had occurred.
“So far, we have not seen a wave of consequence, which is of great relief to us,” Governor Green told reporters at a press conference. “It’s kind of a blessing to not be reporting any damage.”
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center downgraded Hawaii’s tsunami warning to an advisory at 10:40 PM local time, with director Chip McCreery stating the “worst part of it” had passed. However, officials warned that tsunami activity could continue for hours, with dangerous currents and rapid water level changes persisting.
Social Media Storm Over Private Road Access
As evacuation orders spread across Hawaii’s eight islands, social media erupted with claims that Winfrey had refused to open her private road connecting the coastal area of Wailea to the higher elevation town of Kula. Videos showing bumper-to-bumper traffic went viral as frustrated residents called for the media mogul to provide access.
One widely shared post on X claimed: “Oprah won’t open her private road from Wailea to Kula, Hawaii, which would make it much easier for locals to get to higher ground. Massive Traffic in Maui with thousands trying to escape the massive Tsunami coming. Open the road Oprah.”
Another user alleged: “Oprah HAS NOT opened her private road from Wailea to Kula, Hawaii, which would allow coastal folks to reach higher ground quickly, locals tell me OPEN THE ROAD, @OPRAH. Roads on Maui are GRIDLOCKED as people try to escape the incoming Tsunami.”
Police Confirm Road Access
The Maui Police Department’s official tsunami warning update at 7:16 PM local time contradicted the viral claims, stating: “Maui Veterans Highway is congested; use Cane Haul Road toward Hansen and Pulehu roads to get to Kula. Road above Makena Golf Course provides access to Ulupalakua. Also, Oprah’s road is open to get Upcountry.”
A community note was subsequently added to viral posts on X, viewed by millions, confirming that the road was indeed open and citing the police department’s official guidance. The note helped counter the spread of misinformation during the critical evacuation period.
Winfrey, who has owned more than 2,000 acres of land on Maui for over 15 years, including a farm on the slopes of the dormant Haleakalā volcano, has previously opened the private road during emergencies. She received praise from Hawaii’s governor for allowing access during the 2019 and 2023 Maui wildfires, which helped thousands evacuate to safety.
Pacific-Wide Emergency Response
The earthquake’s impact extended far beyond Hawaii, triggering evacuations and warnings across the Pacific. In Japan, approximately 1.9 million people received evacuation orders as waves up to 4 feet struck the northern coastline. Workers at the Fukushima nuclear plant were forced to evacuate as a precautionary measure, though no damage was reported at the facility.
California’s northern coast near the Oregon border experienced waves reaching 3.6 feet at Crescent City, prompting authorities to upgrade the area to a tsunami warning. The National Weather Service warned of “rapid and damaging surge” conditions, with water levels fluctuating dramatically in ports along the West Coast.
President Donald Trump urged Americans in affected areas to “STAY STRONG AND STAY SAFE,” posting on social media: “Due to a massive earthquake that occurred in the Pacific Ocean, a Tsunami Warning is in effect for those living in Hawaii.
Mass Evacuations and Emergency Measures
Across Hawaii, the National Guard was mobilised with Blackhawk helicopters deployed for potential rescue operations. The US Army and Navy opened Kolekole Pass and sections of Schofield Barracks on Oahu to assist evacuation efforts as traffic accidents compounded the chaos.
Governor Green warned residents that tsunami waves, even those appearing relatively small, posed deadly risks. “It is not just a 3-foot wave, it is a forceful wall of water,” he explained. “This is a longitudinal wave with great force driving through the shoreline and into land.”
Supermarkets across the islands reported panic buying as residents stocked up on water and essentials. Hawaiian Airlines and Alaska Airlines suspended flights during the height of the emergency, resuming operations only after authorities confirmed the immediate danger had passed.
Global Tsunami Impact
Chile declared a red tsunami alert for its Pacific coastline, initiating mass evacuations across nearly every coastal region. French Polynesia warned residents of the Marquesas Islands to expect waves between 3.5 and 13 feet, urging immediate evacuation to the highest available ground.
Ecuador, Colombia, and multiple Pacific island nations issued their own evacuation orders as the tsunami waves radiated outward from the earthquake’s epicentre. The event highlighted the interconnected nature of Pacific Rim nations in facing seismic threats.
The earthquake occurred in the geologically volatile Pacific Ring of Fire, where the Kamchatka Peninsula experiences frequent seismic activity. The region had already experienced several powerful tremors in July, including a 7.4-magnitude quake just over a week before Tuesday’s megaquake.
Lessons from Historic Disasters
Emergency management experts noted that while Tuesday’s tsunami caused less damage than initially feared, the event served as a crucial reminder of the Pacific’s vulnerability to seismic disasters. The relatively limited impact, compared to previous megaquakes of similar magnitude, was attributed to improved warning systems and evacuation procedures developed since the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami.
The National Tsunami Hazard Mitigation Program emphasised that even six-inch tsunami waves can knock over adults, while two feet of fast-moving water can carry away vehicles. Officials stressed that the deceptively small vertical height of tsunami waves belies their devastating horizontal force and speed.
As cleanup efforts begin and evacuees return home, questions about emergency preparedness and evacuation infrastructure continue to circulate. The controversy over Winfrey’s private road, though ultimately unfounded, highlighted the critical importance of clear communication and verified information during crisis situations.
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Image Credit:
Oprah Winfrey – Image by Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, licensed under CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
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