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TAMPA, FLORIDA — UPDATE from AP:

The University of Tampa has fired a visiting assistant professor who suggested in a tweet that Hurricane Harvey's destruction is "instant karma" for Texas because it voted Republican.

Sociology professor Kenneth L. Storey posted the tweet and two responses on Sunday before removing the entire thread and his profile photo.

University spokesman Eric Cardenas said in a statement Tuesday that Storey was fired after the school weathered an outpouring of online outrage over the comments.

A University of Tampa professor in Florida is under fire after sending out a tweet, suggesting that Texas deserves the devastation left behind by Hurricane Harvey--because many in The Lone Star State supported now President Donald Trump during the 2016 election.



On Sunday, Kenneth Storey tweeted out: "I don't believe in instant Karma but this kinda feels like it for Texas. Hopefully this will help them realize the GOP doesn't care about them."

Florida professor calls Hurricane Harvey ‘karma’ for Texans because they voted for Trump

Those comments drew immediate backlash from social media users. One commenter in Florida fired back, saying: “I guess since we’re a Red state we deserve some bad karma too, right.” Storey responded, “Yep, those who voted for him here deserve it as well.”

The original tweet was deleted and on Monday night, Storey posted an apology, saying his tweets were taken out of context.

“I deeply regret a statement I posted yesterday. I never meant to wish ill will upon any group. I hope all affected by Harvey recover quickly.”

(tweet)

The University of Tampa responded to the controversy in a statement:

“The University of Tampa stands in solidarity with the people impacted by Hurricane Harvey, and our thoughts and prayers are with all involved. The comments made by Kenneth Storey were made via his private social media account. They were not made within his capacity as a faculty member, and they don't represent the University’s views. The University of Tampa condemns these comments and the sentiment behind them.”