Professor Blames Hurricane Harvey On GOP Vote, Gets Fired

TAMPA, FL — University of Tampa students enrolled in Kenneth Storey’s sociology classes have a new instructor in the room following a brouhaha that erupted on Twitter over the weekend. Storey reportedly tweeted that the devastation wrought by Hurricane Harvey was “instant karma” for the state of Texas because of its Republican leanings.

UT officials on Tuesday morning announced that Storey “has been relieved of his duties” following the Sunday tweets made on his private Twitter account. “We condemn the comments and the sentiment behind them, and understand the pain this irresponsible act has caused,” a statement issued by UT on Sept. 29 said.

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Storey’s tweets were pulled down after they received backlash. He also issued an apology on Monday.

“I dont believe in instant karma but this kind of feels like it for Texas,” the Tampa Bay Times reported the original tweet as saying. “Hopefully this will help them realize the GOP doesnt care about them.”

SEE ALSO: Hurricane Harvey Rescues Top Houston Priority List

On Monday, Storey tweeted an apology. “I deeply regret a statement I posted yesterday,” he said. “I never meant to wish ill will upon any group. I hope all affected by Harvey recovery quickly.”

Storey took down his Twitter account on Tuesday.

• See also: Hurricane Harvey – Must Know Facts

Hurricane Harvey has been linked to 15 deaths in Texas since it first made landfall on Friday as a Category 4 storm. With widespread flooding and wind damage reported throughout Houston and nearby communities, Gov. Greg Abbott activated the entire Texas National Guard Monday morning. While no longer a hurricane, Harvey continued to wreak havoc on Texas Tuesday. Harvey is expected to make a second landfall on Texas as a tropical storm sometime on Tuesday or Wednesday.

Apology or not, University of Tampa officials say Storey’s classes will now be “covered by other sociology faculty.”

“As Floridians, we are well aware of the destruction and suffering associated with tropical weather,” UT’s statement concluded. “Our thoughts and prayers are with all impacted by Hurricane Harvey.”

UT’s decision to relieve Storey of his duties isn’t sitting right with the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education. That group, which advocates for academic freedom, is looking into the incident, the Tampa Bay Times reported. Whether anything will come from the probe remains to be seen.

Also See: Some Of The Many Ways You Can Help Harvey Victims

Houston is a sea of human misery after epic, unprecedented rains turned the city of 2.5 million into a rising swamp. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images News/Getty Images)