Home / Disasters and Accidents / Oprah Winfrey Opens Private Road to Help Hawaiians Escape Tsunami
Oprah Winfrey Opens Private Road to Help Hawaiians Escape Tsunami
30 Jul
Summary
- Oprah Winfrey opens private road in Hawaii to aid residents during tsunami warning
- 8.8 magnitude earthquake in Russia triggers tsunami alerts across Hawaii
- Waves over 5 feet high reported in Kahului, Maui
On [current date], a powerful 8.8 magnitude earthquake struck the far east of Russia, prompting tsunami warnings for the entire state of Hawaii. In response to the threat, media mogul Oprah Winfrey, who owns around 1,000 acres in the state, has opened her private road to help residents reach higher ground.
Tsunami waves over 5 feet high were reported in Kahului, Maui, where Winfrey's property is located. Recognizing the potential danger, the billionaire's representative stated that the company "contacted local law enforcement and FEMA to ensure the road was opened" as soon as the warnings were issued. Local authorities are currently assisting residents through the private road, allowing 50 cars at a time to ensure everyone's safety.
The representative emphasized that the road will remain open "as long as necessary" to aid the evacuation efforts. This move comes after locals claimed that congested coastal routes could be eased by providing access to Winfrey's private road, which connects the Wailea area to Kula.
