Featured Image Credit: X/@ellenfitforever
Topics: Social Media, US News, Weather, Celebrity
Jess Battison
Topics: Social Media, US News, Weather, Celebrity
Oprah Winfrey has responded to claims she kept her private road closed as Hawaiians flee the incoming tsunami.
Waves have hit the American state following a huge 8.8 earthquake off Russia’s coast with a wave reaching 5.7 ft recorded at Kahului, Maui and a 4.9 ft one recorded in Hailo.
Donald Trump issued an urgent warning this morning to Americans in Hawaii, Alaska and along the Pacific Coast.
As tsunami waves began ‘impacting Hawaii’, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre said: “Urgent action should be take to protect lives and property.”
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And so, residents began evacuating their homes with heavy traffic reported in areas with people attempting to flee low-lying areas.
With that, claims on social media accused Winfrey of ‘refusing to open her private road’.
A resident in Maui reportedly claimed that if the road was open they would ‘have a way to get out’ rather than being stuck in traffic as it provides a crucial shortcut.
Seemingly widely posted by MAGA accounts and the likes, it was 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.”
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“OPEN THE ROAD OPRAH,” others demanded.
“If Oprah’s road was open we could escape,” another claimed.
One also alleged: "I live down the street from Oprah’s gate on Maui, they opened the gate let a group through then closed it again."
However, a spokesperson for the TV personality told the Mirror that these claims were false and added that her road was opened immediately after hearing the tsunami warnings.
“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,” they said.
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“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.”
Another social media post shared: “Reposting for anyone stuck in the traffic!!!
“Oprah road open anyone evacuating Wailea turn Kealakapu Rd.”
According to the US National Weather Service, the tsunami has now reached the coast of California.
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And a threat alert has been issued for parts of the South Pacific, including Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu, from the US’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
With Hawaii having been placed on high alert, the mayor of Honolulu told residents: "Please take this very seriously. Get yourself as high as you possibly can," and added that authorities are yet to see 'a wave of consequence'
LADbible has contacted Winfrey’s reps for comment.