Sofia Vergara, Instagram influencers slammed for 'tone-deaf' posts amid Hurricane Dorian

Sofia Vergara and a few Instagram influencers are getting dragged by social media for posting "tone-deaf" photos on social media amid Hurricane Dorian.

The "Modern Family" star shared a photo of herself and a friend, both wearing white bathing suit cover ups and captioned the post: "Esperando a Dorian," or "Waiting for Dorian" in English. A day later, the actress posted a photo of her with family and friends from a private jet and wrote "Bye bye Dorian."

Vergara was criticized for her posts with users saying that Hurricane Dorian has forced many people out of their homes and others have died and that her photos and captions make light of a grave situation.

"Hey Sofia. Have some respect. Plenty of hard folks trying to make it out of their homes safely prior to the hurricane coming ashore," wrote one user under Vergara's photo. "No need for your privileged and tone-deaf statements."

Representatives for Vergara did not immediately respond to USA TODAY's request for comment.

In a now deleted photo, "beauty influencer inferencer" Natalie Romo, posted a picture of herself in a purple bikini with the water as a backdrop and tagged her location as Nassau, Bahamas.

More: Disney Cruises responds amid backlash for leaving 'some of our crew' in Bahamas for hurricane

"Using a tragedy for likes on Instagram and an opportunity to post a bikini picture. Classy. So pathetic and insensitive," remarked a follower.

Romo responded saying that she loves the Bahamas and its people and that the photo wasn't meant to offend anyone.

"I took this photo last week and I thought I would share. I don’t mean to offend you or anyone what’s happening at the Bahamas is a tragedy im spreading awareness," she responded.

A woman who goes by Isabelle Shee on Instagram also shared a photo of herself in a bikini on the beach in Nassau, Bahamas. A few people noted that it was an "interesting way of sending, prayers and love," and another sarcastically remarked that she looked "devastated."

Her caption was updated in response to criticism she was receiving.

"Devastated to hear about the impact of Hurricane Dorian in the Bahamas... Praying for a quick recovery," Shee wrote with a praying hands emoji. "*disclaimer: this was taken AT the Bahamas back in January. I’m sorry I don’t have any un-happy photos in the Bahamas as all my memories there are good."

Fitness model Tatiele Polyana and Gleicy Santos also received backlash for sharing bikini photos coupled with heartfelt captions about the Bahamas.

Hurricane Dorian technically diminished to Category 2 status Tuesday as it slowly turned to the northwest, but the historic and violent storm was growing in size as it moved away from the Bahamas and grazed the Florida coast.

The storm lingered over the Bahamas after making landfall three times on Sunday, triggering severe flooding. At least five people died in the Bahamas and thousands of homes are in ruins, Prime Minister Hubert Minnis said.

Hurricane Dorian isn't the first time social media users have been slammed for using a tragedy to gain likes or attention.

Last year, Raline Shah and author Kimberly Williams-Paisley were among many who were criticized for posting photos during the California wildfires and using hashtags related to the tragedy to gain traction.

Contributing: John Bacon and Janine Zeitlin

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Hurricane Dorian: Sofia Vergara, IG users criticized for 'tone-deaf' posts