Jenna Bush Hager Mourns the Devastating Loss at Beloved Camp Mystic After Historic Texas Flood

7 July 2025

Laura Bush and Jenna Bush Hager in 2021. Nathan Congleton/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty

Jenna Bush Hager, her voice catching with emotion, mourned the tragic loss of 27 campers and a counselor at Camp Mystic a place woven deeply into her family’s own story during a Saturday morning appearance on NBC’s Today. Founded nearly a century ago on the banks of the Guadalupe River, Camp Mystic has long served as a centerpiece of Texas summer tradition, hosting generations of girls, including families connected to public figures like President Lyndon B. Johnson and Texas governors. Bush Hager’s late mother, former First Lady Laura Bush, once served as a drama counselor at the camp, and Jenna noted that many of her close friends had sent their daughters there just last week.

Describing the camp as a place that “raises girls to be brave and loving,” Jenna shared that Henry Eastland, the camp’s third-generation director who died while heroically trying to save youngsters, was seen by many as a “summer father.” She praised his legacy and the Eastland family's decades-long stewardship of the camp. She recounted supportive yet heart-wrenching stories from parents and community members who felt the deep bond formed across generations at Camp Mystic.

The flash flood on July 4 was sudden and catastrophic. That early morning, more than 20 inches of rain fell across the region, causing the Guadalupe River to rise by nearly 26 feet in under an hour. Rescue efforts were hampered by the merciless speed of the floodwaters and poor warning systems along the river. At least 82 people across Central Texas lost their lives, including 28 children; around 41 people remain unaccounted for, many of them campers.

Bush Hager highlighted the tight-knit resilience of Texas communities, recalling stories of families united by grief and hope. She emphasized the generosity and unity she witnessed, saying that Texas camps are not just seasonal escapes but essential institutions founded on love and community trust. Her emotional vulnerability on national television underscored the depth of the tragedy.

Beyond Camp Mystic, the floods wreaked havoc across Kerr, Travis, Burnet, Williamson, Kendall, and Tom Green counties flattening neighborhoods, sweeping away homes, and overwhelming emergency services. The swollen river overwhelmed towns entirely, prompting federal disaster declarations partially due to the stark realization that the National Weather Service did not have sufficient staffing or early-warning systems in place.

Amid the heartache, pockets of heroism shone through. Coast Guard swimmer Scott Ruskan was credited with saving more than 165 lives amongst the chaos. Meanwhile local pastor and community leaders are coordinating relief efforts, offering comfort to families who have suffered unfathomable loss. President Donald Trump and then-Texas Governor Kristi Noem visited the region to assess damage and pledged federal support. Pope Leo XIV also sent public condolences, acknowledging both the tragedy’s emotional toll and its historical significance as one of the deadliest flood events the region has ever faced.

Camp Mystic’s destruction is both physical and emblematic a cultural pillar reduced to mud and grief. The loss of Henry Eastland may also represent an end of an era for the camp itself. As rescue operations give way to recovery and rebuilding, families are clinging to stories of heroism and the enduring spirit nurtured there.

Jenna Bush Hager’s raw reflection and personal connection to this tragedy have captured national empathy. Her stories speak to more than just loss; they testify to the power of close communities in the face of sudden catastrophe. In recounting this story, she reminded viewers that Camp Mystic’s legacy of courage and fellowship will long outlive its buildings and that the love woven through its history offers a path toward healing.

Even as families mourn, shared resilience and collective memory may serve as the foundation for rebuilding. But for many, the scars of that terrifying night on the Guadalupe River will endure. And in that durable sorrow, Texas finds not only heartbreak, but also a resolve to preserve the camp’s true essence its unspoken promise of love, safety, and community for every child who once called it home.