EXCLUSIVE: Talk show icon, Oprah Winfrey, has been slammed over claims she has not opened her private road in Hawaii as residents are forced to evacuate after terrifying tsunami warnings
Oprah Winfrey has responded to claims she failed to open her private road in Hawaii following the island’s terrifying tsunami warnings.
Thousands of residents on Hawaii have been forced to evacuate their homes after a monster 8.8 earthquake off Russia triggered terrifying tsunami warnings for the US and Japan.
Videos shared on social media show huge traffic jams across parts of Hawaii, especially Maui, as people attempt to flee low-lying areas. And some allege that Oprah, who owns a property on the island, “is still refusing to open her private road,” which they claim could ease congestion and help people evacuate faster.
READ MORE: Tsunami LIVE: Hawaii, Japan and US issued with warnings after monster earthquake
One person on X wrote: “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.”
Meanwhile, another shared: “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.”
Talking to a Maui resident, they continued: ‘I’m stuck with my children in the truck with sirens going off,’ Maui resident, Shelby Hosana, tells me. ‘If Oprah’s road was open, I could have a way to get out. Instead we will just hope and pray the first wave time estimates are correct and we still have time to get to higher ground’.”
However, Oprah’s spokesperson told the Mirror that the claims were false, stating that the A-lister opened her road as soon as she heard the tsunami warnings.
They said: ““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. 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.”
Tsunami warnings have been issued by authorities following a monster earthquake, which at magnitude 8.7, is one of the most powerful in 15 years and has rocked Russia, Japan and the US today.
Nearly two million people have been evacuated across Japan with warnings also issued for other parts of the nation’s east coast – and the entirety of US’ west coast – after the large quake, the most powerful anywhere since 2011.
Tsunamis have today already struck parts of Russia’s Kuril Islands and Japan’s big northern island of Hokkaido, with dramatic footage capturing huge waves crashing against the shores as the shockwaves are predicted to hit Hawaii.
While no significant injuries have been reported, tsunami flooding has damaged the port at Severo-Kurilsk on Russia’s Kuril Islands, and most flights to Hawaii have been suspended.
Tsunami waves of up to 10ft above normal levels are expected to hit Hawaii. Data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has shown a tsunami wave measuring more than 5ft off the north-central shore of Maui.
A 5-6ft wave is not the largest ever recorded, but it can still, sadly, cause horrendous damage and death.
The Mirror has contacted Oprah’s reps for comment on this story.
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