Oprah speaks out on allegations of not opening her private road amid tsunami emergency in Hawaii.
Tsunami Strikes Pacific After Major Earthquake
A powerful 8.8-magnitude undersea earthquake struck off Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula, triggering tsunami waves across the Pacific. Hawaii, California, Japan, and Russia were all affected. In Hawaii, emergency officials urged residents to evacuate to higher ground, causing widespread panic and traffic jams.
Oprah’s Team Denies Claims
Oprah’s spokesperson quickly pushed back against the criticism, saying the road was never closed.
“As soon as we heard the tsunami warnings, we contacted local law enforcement and FEMA to ensure the road was open,” the spokesperson told Newsweek. “Reports claiming otherwise are false. Law enforcement is currently guiding cars to ensure safe evacuation.”
Tsunami Impact Ongoing
So far, there are no confirmed casualties from the tsunami. However, the quake damaged buildings near the Russian epicenter, and waves also hit Japan’s Hokkaido island. Evacuation orders were issued in over 21 Japanese prefectures. Other countries, including Chile, the Philippines, and Alaska, remain on tsunami watch.
