Following a powerful 8.8-magnitude earthquake near Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula, tsunami waves swept across the Pacific, reaching Hawaii and the U.S. West Coast. As evacuations began, Oprah Winfrey opened her private road in Maui to assist residents fleeing to higher ground.
Her swift action came amid widespread warnings and emergency efforts across multiple countries to minimize the potential devastation.
Oprah’s Swift Response: Private Road Opened for Evacuations
As tsunami alerts triggered mass evacuations in Hawaii, Oprah Winfrey took immediate action to aid her Maui community. She opened her private access road in the island’s Upcountry region, allowing police-supervised traffic to move inland away from potential flood zones. According to her spokesperson, she coordinated directly with local law enforcement and FEMA to facilitate safe passage.
Maui County confirmed her involvement in a public update:
“Oprah’s road is open to get Upcountry,” officials noted. Her road became a crucial evacuation route, managed in waves of 50 cars at a time under police guidance. “The road will remain open as long as necessary,” her team emphasized, dispelling any false reports of delay or denial of access.
Tsunami Waves Strike Hawaii and U.S. Coast After 8.8 Quake
The earthquake—one of the most powerful ever recorded in the Pacific—struck early Wednesday off Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula. Waves of 4 to 5 feet reached Oahu, Kahului, and Hilo in Hawaii, while Midway Atoll recorded swells over 6 feet. U.S. tsunami centers issued urgent warnings for Hawaii, Japan, California, Oregon, and Washington.
By late Tuesday night, Hawaii officials downgraded the warning to an advisory. However, experts urged continued caution.
“A tsunami is not just one wave,” said Dave Snider of the National Tsunami Warning Center.
“They move like ripples from a stone, but with the force of jet planes.” He warned the effects could last for many hours.
California’s Arena Cove measured a 4-foot, 4-inch wave early Wednesday, with smaller surges seen along the West Coast. Thankfully, no significant damage or injuries have been reported as of yet, though authorities continue to monitor coastal activity.