Following an 8.8 magnitude earthquake that triggered tsunami warnings in Hawaii, false rumors spread that Oprah Winfrey’s Maui estate blocked a critical evacuation route, but her representatives quickly denied these claims, emphasizing cooperation with local authorities to keep the road open and ensuring residents’ safety, a situation that highlights how misinformation can cause unnecessary fear during emergencies.

In the chaotic aftermath of a powerful 8.8 magnitude earthquake that struck Russia’s Eastern Kamchatka Peninsula late Tuesday night, triggering tsunami warnings across Hawaii, rumors quickly swirled online alleging that a critical evacuation route leading through Oprah Winfrey’s Maui estate was deliberately blocked, potentially endangering residents trying to reach higher ground.

The earthquake, which rattled the Pacific Rim, set off an urgent tsunami alert for coastal communities in Hawaii, including those on the island of Maui.

Residents were immediately advised to evacuate to upland areas to avoid potential flooding from waves forecasted by the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center.

The center reported waves reaching as high as 5.7 feet above normal sea level on Maui’s North Shore during the evening hours.

Amid the growing panic, social media posts claimed that the main evacuation path — a private road connecting Wailea’s coastal neighborhoods to the safer upland region of Kula — was inaccessible to the public because it ran through Oprah Winfrey’s lavish $60 million estate.

According to these viral posts, local residents trying to escape the tsunami threat were allegedly barred from using this “critical escape route,” raising outrage and questions about the role of the media mogul’s property managers during the emergency.

However, representatives for Oprah Winfrey swiftly issued a firm rebuttal to these accusations.

In an official statement, they insisted that no barriers were placed on the route and that staff members on the estate actively coordinated with local law enforcement to ensure the road remained open for emergency use.

“As soon as we heard the tsunami warnings, we contacted local law enforcement to ensure the road was opened,” the spokesperson said. “Any reports otherwise are false.”

They added that local police officers were on-site throughout the night, managing the flow of vehicles and guiding roughly 50 cars at a time along the road to maintain orderly evacuation and safety.

The spokesperson emphasized that the road would stay open as long as necessary to facilitate emergency operations and protect residents.

Supporting this denial, the Maui Police Department publicly confirmed that “Oprah’s road” remained accessible for those seeking to move “Upcountry” — the higher elevation region considered safer from potential tsunami impact.

The department urged calm and cooperation among residents while managing the evacuation.

The road in question is actually owned by Haleakalā Ranch, a sprawling property that encompasses much of the upland area on Maui, rather than Oprah Winfrey herself.

The confusion about ownership and access appears to have fueled the rumors circulating on social media.

Fortunately, despite initial fears and the issuance of tsunami warnings, no major damage was reported following the earthquake and subsequent wave activity.

By late Wednesday morning, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center downgraded alerts to advisories, allowing residents to return to their homes.

This incident highlights the intense anxiety and misinformation that can rapidly spread during natural disasters, especially when high-profile properties and celebrities become involved in public narratives.

Oprah Winfrey’s representatives have urged the public to rely on verified information from official sources during emergencies and to avoid spreading unfounded claims that may cause unnecessary panic.

The 8.8 earthquake itself ranks among the stronger tremors felt in the Pacific region in recent years, serving as a reminder of the constant seismic activity along the Ring of Fire.

Hawaii’s emergency management agencies continue to review their response protocols to better prepare residents for future events, with particular attention to ensuring all evacuation routes remain clear and accessible.

As Maui residents and visitors take stock after the scare, the controversy surrounding Oprah Winfrey’s estate stands as a cautionary tale of how quickly rumors can escalate, complicating the delicate efforts of emergency responders in times of crisis.