Al Roker is apologizing after a seemingly innocuous selfie taken in South Carolina during the state’s massive flooding rubbed some people the wrong way.
The Today Show weather guy posted the pic (above, which Roker later deleted) on Twitter, in which he boasts a wide smile, writing in the caption: “My crew and I getting ready to report on East Coast flooding from S. Carolina on @NBCNightlyNews with Kate Snow.”
What sharp-eyed observers noted about the photo was the washed-out road and destroyed car in the background, drawing accusations that Roker was insensitive to the plight of those whose homes and property were being ravaged by the flooding.
Related: A TV First — Matt Lauer And Al Roker To Have Live On-Air Prostate Exams On “Today’
Roker agreed, and quickly took to Twitter to apologize.
In conversations with other Twitter users, Roker admitted he “got caught up in a moment of camaraderie without thinking about surroundings,” declaring, “I should know better.”
He also called his actions “dumb” and said he was “angry” at himself for posting the pic; even though he deleted the photo, he admitted: “Damage is done and hate to have offended people.”
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
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
We came down to report and I offended those who lost so much. I am sorry — Al Roker (@alroker) October 5, 2015
@PrisRaq89 Nope. I should know better. Got caught up in a moment of camaraderie without thinking about surroundings. It’s my mistake — Al Roker (@alroker) October 5, 2015
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
@PrisRaq89 Nope. I should know better. Got caught up in a moment of camaraderie without thinking about surroundings. It’s my mistake
— Al Roker (@alroker) October 5, 2015
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
@SeanForester I have but damage is done and hate to have offended people. — Al Roker (@alroker) October 5, 2015
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
@monikapplewhite @NBCNightlyNews You are correct and I am sorry
— Al Roker (@alroker) October 5, 2015
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
@clvyska Thanks, but I am angry with myself for not thinking. Dumb mistake on my part — Al Roker (@alroker) October 5, 2015
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
@Claude803 It was a boneheaded move and I apologize.
— Al Roker (@alroker) October 5, 2015
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
@allenwallace @NBCNewsPR Yes, I have apologized for taking that picture and not thinking about how it could offend. My fault — Al Roker (@alroker) October 5, 2015
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
