Even as the threat of a tsunami swamping Hawaii had passed on Wednesday, social media posts were still circulating claims that Oprah Winfrey had refused immediate access to a private road that would allow residents a shorter evacuation route.

Oprah Winfrey denied reports that a private drive on her Maui estate was closed as local residents attempted to flee the coast line during a tsunami evacuation Tuesday night. A spokesperson for the media mogul said that local authorities were contacted immediately following the tsunami warnings,