{"id":32429,"date":"2025-07-30T18:35:03","date_gmt":"2025-07-30T18:35:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usdailys.com\/?p=32429"},"modified":"2025-07-30T18:35:03","modified_gmt":"2025-07-30T18:35:03","slug":"oprah-winfrey-responds-to-claims-she-refused-to-open-private-road-to-hawaiians-escaping-tsunami","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/usdailys.com\/?p=32429","title":{"rendered":"Oprah Winfrey responds to claims she refused to open private road to Hawaiians escaping tsunami"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Oprah Winfrey has responded to accusations claiming she kept a private road closed as residents tried to flee to higher ground after a tsunami warning.<\/strong><\/p>\n

People were warned that huge tsunami waves<\/a> were incoming, following a massive earthquake measuring 8.8 magnitude in Russia<\/a> today (July 30).<\/p>\n

Residents in Hawaii were urged to move away from the coast and one account on Twitter blasted Winfrey<\/a>, claiming she had kept the road closed, despite gridlock elsewhere.<\/p>\n

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They wrote: “People in Maui, Hawaii<\/a> are trying to escape the tsunami and are BEGGING Oprah to open the private road on her property.<\/p>\n

“She\u2019s reportedly still refusing. In a crisis, blocking an escape route is inhumane.”<\/p>\n

The user also shared footage of heavy traffic and a graphic showing the route.<\/p>\n

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Residents were urged to flee to higher ground (EUGENE TANNER\/AFP via Getty Images)<\/cite><\/div>\n

The post has since been viewed more than 2.7 million times.<\/p>\n

Another user claimed: “Oprah won\u2019t open her private road from Wailea to Kula, Hawaii, which would make it much easier for locals to get to higher ground.”<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, someone else added: “OPEN THE ROAD OPRAH.”<\/p>\n

The original account later posted an update, saying: “After massive public uproar and intervention from President Trump<\/a>, Oprah has finally opened her private road to aid emergency access.<\/p>\n

“Her social media team is now in full damage control mode – but this was not expected from her. Public trust shaken.”<\/p>\n

However, a spokesperson for Winfrey told<\/a> Newsweek: “As soon as we heard the tsunami warnings, we contacted local law enforcement and FEMA to ensure the road was opened. Any reports otherwise are false.”<\/p>\n

Tsunami warnings have since been downgraded in Hawaii, with those who had evacuated being told they could return home after only small waves occurred.<\/p>\n

Winfrey owns a farm which is located on the side of a dormant volcano called Haleakal\u0101.<\/p>\n

The talk show host had previously opened the road in 2019 and 2023 to help people escape wildfires.<\/p>\n

Maui Police Department’s Tsunami Warning Update also noted that ‘Oprah’s road is open to get Upcountry’.<\/p>\n

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A spokesperson for Oprah Winfrey has responded to the claims (Luigi Iorio\/GC Images)<\/cite><\/div>\n

Hawaii Governor Josh Green told the press: “So far we have not seen a wave of consequence, which is a great relief to us\u2026 We expect to be about two to three hours at least until we can call ‘all clear.’ So far though, at the moment, so good.”<\/p>\n

Donald Trump had previously posted on Truth Social: “Due to a massive earthquake that occurred in the Pacific Ocean, a Tsunami Warning is in effect for those living in Hawaii. A Tsunami Watch is in effect for Alaska and the Pacific Coast of the United States. Japan is also in the way. Please visit tsunami.gov\/<\/a> for the latest information. STAY STRONG AND STAY SAFE!”<\/p>\n

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