As tsunami waves crashed into Hawaii’s shores following a massive undersea earthquake off Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula, a different kind of storm erupted online — and at its center was Oprah Winfrey.

The media mogul and longtime Maui resident faced an avalanche of criticism late Tuesday after viral videos alleged that her private road in Kula, Maui, remained closed as thousands scrambled for higher ground amid emergency evacuation orders.

In one widely circulated video on X (formerly Twitter), a man filming from a long line of gridlocked cars claimed that the gates to Oprah’s road were shut, preventing people from escaping the danger zone. “C’mon Oprah, save us… Cops trying to open it. Nope, still closed,” the man says as sirens blare in the background.

The footage triggered a firestorm. “Oprah HAS NOT opened her private road from Wailea to Kula,” one post read. “This could save lives,” another added. The hashtag #OpenOprahsRoad quickly gained traction, turning a local evacuation route into a national debate on privilege, property, and responsibility during a natural disaster.

At the heart of the controversy is Thompson Road, a stretch of pavement that runs through Winfrey’s massive Maui estate. While the road is technically public, it passes through private land — land owned by the Oprah Winfrey Ranch, according to local outlets like Hawaii News Now and NBC News.

Critics accused Winfrey of prioritizing property rights over public safety. “A potentially life-saving route is being kept closed while people are stuck in cars with sirens blaring,” one angry resident posted on X.

But within hours, reports emerged that the road had, in fact, been opened — and had possibly never been closed to begin with. X user Nick Sortor posted, “BREAKING: Following INTENSE public pressure, Oprah’s private road has been OPENED… WELL DONE, EVERYONE! It should’ve been opened HOURS ago, but… USE OPRAH’S ROAD NOW!”

Soon after, a Community Note appeared on the original viral video, referencing the Maui Police Department’s tsunami warning update, which listed Winfrey’s road as accessible: “Oprah’s road is open to get Upcountry, according to Maui Police Department.”

That same update, dated 7:16 p.m. on July 29, also listed alternate evacuation routes due to congestion on major highways.

Still, confusion lingered, fueled by conflicting posts, chaotic footage, and general distrust toward billionaires during crisis moments.

Oprah’s team stepped in to clear the air.

In a statement to Newsweek, a spokesperson for Winfrey pushed back on the narrative that the road was ever closed. “As soon as we heard the tsunami warnings, we contacted local law enforcement and FEMA 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.”

Yet by the time that statement was issued, the damage to public perception may have already been done. For many residents and observers, the situation tapped into a broader resentment toward the ultra-wealthy — especially those who own vast amounts of land in disaster-prone areas.

This isn’t the first time Oprah’s land ownership in Hawaii has stirred controversy. Last year, after the Lahaina wildfires, some locals criticized celebrities — including Winfrey — for offering charitable support while continuing to expand their private estates.

Oprah owns more than 2,000 acres of land in Hawaii. Her Kula estate, specifically, has become symbolic of the divide between wealthy transplants and native residents who struggle with housing costs, displacement, and limited infrastructure — problems that become dangerously amplified during emergencies.

The tsunami was triggered by an 8.8-magnitude quake near eastern Russia. Waves have since hit parts of Japan, California, and several Pacific islands. Hawaii, especially Maui, was placed under immediate threat as sirens wailed and residents fled coastal areas.

As of Wednesday morning, no casualties have been reported in Hawaii. But the online fallout around Oprah’s road closure claims shows no sign of letting up.

For now, the road is open. The waters are receding. But the backlash — and the debate over responsibility, privilege, and truth during crisis — may linger long after the last wave has hit.