Oprah responds to viral claims she is blocking tsunami escape routes and not opening gates

As over 16 countries get tsunami warnings and evacuation orders following an 8.8 earthquake near Russia, viral Twitter posts have claimed that TV host Oprah refused to open her gates for easier evacuation.

Thousands of people in Hawaii have been forced to evacuate their homes following the mega-quake near Russia’s Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky city. Roads are packed with cars and people on foot trying to flee the area, but according to locals on Twitter, Oprah refused to open the gates to her Hawaii property that could ease congestion.

Credit: Twitter

“URGENT: People in Maui, Hawaii, are trying to escape the tsunami and are BEGGING Oprah to open the private road on her property. She’s reportedly still refusing,” one post reads. “In a crisis, blocking an escape route is inhumane.”

Another said: “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.”

One Maui resident, Shelby Hosana, allegedly told journalists, “I’m stuck with my children in the truck with sirens going off. 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.”

Fact check: Is Oprah blocking tsunami escape routes?

Of course Oprah wouldn’t do that.
She’s a selfish billionaire https://t.co/TI3Ndfs2Fi

— Tired Peasant (@HorrorGorl) July 30, 2025

Despite the reports on Twitter, it seems the road through Oprah’s property is, in fact, open. The posts on Twitter have since been branded with community notes refuting the claims.

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Speaking to The Mirror, a representative for Oprah 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.”

In Maui PD’s ongoing updates, they also rejected rumours of Oprah’s road being blocked, writing: “Also, Oprah’s road is open to get Upcountry.”

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Featured image credit: Image Press Agency/NurPhoto/Shutterstock