Al Roker apologizes for ‘insensitive’ South Carolina flood selfie
Al Roker has apologized for taking a smiling selfie in South Carolina while reporting on the deadly floods that have ravaged the Palmetto State.
The popular NBC weatherman and “Today” show co-host posed for a photo with a pair of unidentified co-workers in front of a car caught in a partly collapsed roadway, posting it to his verified Twitter feed on Sunday.
The juxtaposition of smiling national media members and suffering South Carolinians quickly drew outrage, and Roker subsequently deleted the tweet and issued an apology to his 400,000 followers.
“Absolutely correct,” Roker wrote. “I apologize for being insensitive. The woman in that car got out without injury. We should not have been in the picture.”
Absolutely correct. I apologize for being insensitive. The woman in that car got out without injury. We Should not have been in the picture
— Al Roker (@alroker) October 5, 2015
He added: “We came down to report, and I offended those who lost so much. I am sorry.”
We came down to report and I offended those who lost so much. I am sorry
— Al Roker (@alroker) October 5, 2015
At least 11 people died in South Carolina as a result of the historic rainstorm, including six people in Columbia who drowned in their cars.
On Monday, South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley warned residents not to venture out of their homes to take photos of the damage.
“This is not the time to take pictures,” Haley said. “We have got enough media out there that you can look at to see the pictures and see the views of what’s happening in South Carolina.”
