Oprah Winfrey has responded to claims she refused to let Hawaiians use her private road to run from the incoming tsunami.

 

Record waves hit Hawaii after an 8.8 earthquake off the coast of Russia, reaching heights of 5.7ft in Kahului and 4.9ft in Hailo.

American president Donald Trump gave a warning to Americans in Hawaii, Alaska and on the Pacific Coast.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre shared that: “Urgent action should be take to protect lives and property.”

Local residents, especially those in high risk areas, began evacuating causing large traffic jams and chaos.

Taking to social media, some people accused Oprah Winfrey of ‘refusing to open her private road’. to let locals escape faster.

One local shared online that if the road was opened, they could have used it as a shortcut and would ‘have a way to get out’.

One account 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.”

Another social media user wrote: “OPEN THE ROAD OPRAH,”.

“I live down the street from Oprah’s gate on Maui, they opened the gate let a group through then closed it again.” claimed a third.

Now, a spokesperson for Winfrey has shared with The Mirror that these claims were actually false and that, upon hearing of the emergency, the road was opened immediately.

“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. “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.”

The mayor of Honolulu warned residents: “Please take this very seriously. Get yourself as high as you possibly can,”.

Click here for tsunami resources and information.