Overview

• A magnitude 8.7 earthquake off Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula prompted tsunami warnings across Hawaii, Japan and the U.S. West Coast, spurring mass evacuations.
• Videos on social media showed severe traffic jams on Maui’s coastal highways as thousands sought higher ground.
• Some social media users alleged Winfrey kept her private Wailea-to-Kula road closed, raising concerns about evacuation access.
• Winfrey’s spokesperson said the road opened immediately with Maui Police and FEMA support, and the department confirmed the route’s availability.
• After waves arrived without causing major damage, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center downgraded the alert to an advisory, allowing some residents to return.