University of Kentucky staffer says deadly Hurricane Helene was ‘God’s way of punishing MAGA’
A University of Kentucky employee has claimed that Hurricane Helene was God’s purpose to punish supporters of Donald Trump.
Betsy Packard, an instructor in the school’s English department, has sparked outrage after repeatedly saying Trump supporters were responsible for the devastating storm that left more than 100 dead in the South.
“Hurricane Helene… what if GOD punishes the MAGA people for their hatred and hypocrisy? Works for me!’” Packard said on Sunday alongside a wink emoji.
Packard then replied to a pollster predicting Trump would win North Carolina, writing, “God just unloaded a whole can of whoopa** on you idiots, and you still support Trump? WTF is wrong with you?’
Packard continued to respond to X users talking about the storm throughout Sunday, repeating her apparent belief that the tragic storm was punishment for Trump supporters.
University of Kentucky employee Betsy Packard has sparked outrage after repeatedly saying Trump supporters were blamed for the devastating storm that left nearly 100 dead.
“An act of God has struck you, and you still haven’t heard Him? God is clearly extremely angry with MAGAs. How can you not see this?’
She added, “Hey. If they are affected by an act of God of this magnitude, God must be REALLY mad at MAGA.
Hurricane Helene knocked out power to millions of people, destroyed roads and bridges and caused dramatic flooding from Florida to Virginia.
At least 116 people have died, CBS News reports.
Social media users have called for Packard to be fired over her statements.
“If Betsy Packard is still employed by [UK] tomorrow, fire all the admins there,” said an X user.
Another said: ‘Do any of you have any words for Betsy? She’s apparently a teacher at the University of Kentucky. This is just one message. This woman is sick. How can someone have so much hate in them?’
The devastation of Hurricane Helene in Madeira Beach, Florida
A third said: ‘Will Betsy Packard be fired on Monday? If not, we’ll assume so [UK] they all agree with her horrific assessment of the hurricane’s path.”
A UK spokesperson told DailyMail.com on Monday that they were aware of Packard’s messages.
‘We have reported it to the appropriate offices on campus who review questions about conduct. Such statements are abhorrent and do not reflect our values as an institution,” spokesman Jay Blanton said.
“Our thoughts and concerns go out to those affected by these devastating storms. As an institution, many members of our community have been directly affected and we are working with them to provide support and resources at this time.”
At least 116 people in several states died during Hurricane Helene. A North Carolina county that includes the mountain town of Asheville reported as many as 30 people dead.
Hurricane Helene roared ashore in Florida’s Big Bend region late Thursday as a Category 4 hurricane with winds of 140 miles per hour. A weakened Helene quickly moved through Georgia and then drenched the Carolinas and Tennessee with torrential rains that flooded creeks and rivers and put pressure on dams.
There have been hundreds of water rescues, including in rural Unicoi County in East Tennessee, where dozens of patients and staff were plucked from a hospital roof by helicopter on Friday.
More than 2 million homeowners and other utility customers were still without power Sunday evening.
Social media users have called for Packard to be fired over her statements
Officials warned that rebuilding after widespread loss of homes and property would be lengthy and difficult.
The storm upended life in the Southeast, with deaths also reported in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and Virginia.
President Joe Biden described the storm’s impact as “stunning” and said he would visit the area this week as long as it does not disrupt rescue or recovery efforts. In a brief call with reporters, he said the administration is giving states “everything we have” to help with their response to the storm.
A courtesy photo provided by the North Carolina Division of Aviation showing flood damage caused by the storm that began as Hurricane Helene in Asheville, North Carolina, U.S., September 29, 2024
Relief efforts continue in the Asheville area, where a major disaster from Hurricane Helene has left communities devastated, roads impassable and thousands without power.
The storm caused North Carolina’s worst flooding in a century. One community, Spruce Pine, was inundated with more than two feet of rain Tuesday through Saturday.
Biden on Saturday pledged federal government assistance for the “overwhelming” devastation of Helene. He also approved a disaster declaration for North Carolina, making federal funding available for affected individuals.
In Florida’s Big Bend, some lost almost everything they owned. With sanctuary areas still darkened as of Sunday morning, some churches canceled regular services, while others, like Faith Baptist Church in Perry, opted to worship outdoors.