logo

Oprah Winfrey joins hundreds to pay respect to people who died in Montecito tragedy a year ago

Mary Scott
Jan 10, 2019
11:01 P.M.

Oprah Winfrey joined hundreds of other people on Wednesday to pay tribute to victims of the Montecito Mudslide that caused loss of lives and property over a year ago.

Advertisement

The media mogul was among hundreds of Montecito residents who held a vigil in honor of the lives that were lost in the horrific tragedy.

Advertisement

In an Instagram video, Winfrey, 64, was seen linking arms with neighbors and fellow walkers as they went from the Lower Manning Park to San Ysidro Road and on to All Saints-by-the-Sea church.

The group held lights and assumed a solemn mood as they strode through the Santa Barbara County area.

Advertisement

Winfrey’s caption for the clip read:

“A year ago today our little community was digging out of the mudslides. Searching for survivors. 22 dead. 2 were never found. Tonight we paid our respects remembering them in a candlelight vigil. #montecitostrong”

Advertisement

Winfrey has her home in the Montecito area and was lucky it had only minor damage. One of her other famous neighbors, actor Rob Lowe, had his house still standing and sold it a couple of months after the tragedy.

Advertisement

The year 2018 did not begin on an excellent note for Montecito residents who experienced the mudslide shortly after the raving wildfire nicknamed Thomas Fire.

According to CNN, the wildfires destroyed vegetation that had acted as flood protection for some residential regions, thus leaving them vulnerable to the tragedy.

Advertisement

At the time, Winfrey also shared a video of the devastation and wrote:

“What a day! Praying for our community again in Santa Barbara. Woke up to this blazing gas fire. then swipe left to see how deep the mud is in my backyard. Helicopters rescuing my neighbors. Looking for missing persons. 13 lives lost. #Mudslides.”

Advertisement

The “Oprah Winfrey Network” founder later informed fans that her property only suffered minor damage and thanked them for their concern.

Today, her Montecito home is all good and was the venue of Winfrey’s last Thanksgiving gathering where she hosted family and friends, including alumni from her Leadership Academy in South Africa.

Advertisement
info
Please fill in your e-mail so we can share with you our top stories!
By subscribing, you agree to our Privacy Policy
Advertisement
Related posts

'This Is 70': Oprah Proves She Is in the Best Shape of Her Life as She Runs on the Beach with Dog

January 30, 2024

Oprah Once Decided against Marrying Her 'Too Handsome' Partner – Inside Their 3 Decade-Long Relationship

December 22, 2023

Inside Julia Roberts' $11.25M San Francisco Home Where She Could 'Be a Person, a Mom, a Wife'

December 28, 2023

‘Is That Really You?’: Fans Can't Recognize Oprah Winfrey, 69, in Slinky Dress after Weight Loss

December 04, 2023

Oprah Showcases a Slimmer Figure Donning White Top & Gray Pants in Recent IG Update

November 17, 2023

Fans Call Out Oprah Winfrey for Not Telling the 'Truth' behind Her Weight Loss after Ozempic Allegations

December 07, 2023

How Oprah Winfrey’s Figure Would Look At 70 If She Never Used Weight-Loss Medication: 8 Photos via AI

February 08, 2024

How Oprah Winfrey’s Figure Would Look At 70 If She Never Used Weight-Loss Medication: 8 Photos via AI

February 06, 2024

Little Brother and Sister Killed Together with Their ‘Great’ Dad on Their Way to Family Thanksgiving

November 28, 2023

4 Boys and 1 Girl Died While Man Left Children to Go Shopping for Christmas

December 19, 2023

3-Year-Old Girl Dies 'Just a Few Short Miles from Home', Her Younger Brother Luckily Survives: Details

January 22, 2024

Kimmi Grant Also Responded to Husband Maurice's Intimacy Comments amid Her Cancer Battle

November 16, 2023

Julia Roberts Gave Birth to Twins at 37 — Pics of Her 'Beautiful' Teens Who Look like Her Husband

November 02, 2023

14-Month-Old Toddler Tragically Drowns in the Pool - 1 Year Later His Parents Hear His Heartbeat Again

February 12, 2024