Jenna Bush Hager’s family ties to Camp Mystic explored as Laura and George Bush’s daughter mourns Texas flood victims

Jenna Bush Hager is mourning the lives lost to the flooding in Central Texas.

The daughter of George Bush, the former president, and former first lady Laura Bush made an appearance on Today on Monday, July 7. There, she opened up about her familial links to Camp Mystic. The Christian summer camp recently reported the loss of life of 27 young girls, with 10 still reportedly missing.

"My mom was a counselor there, but also so many of my friends were raised at this camp,” Jenna Bush Hager, 43, told co-host Craig Melvin. “Texas camps are institutions, as you just heard, where many family members, generations — this camp was 100 years old — so grandmothers, mothers, kids, have all gone there," she said, visibly emotional.

Jenna Bush Hager's mother reportedly served as the drama counselor at the summer camp, where year after year, Texan girls, aka "Mystic girls,” have been going for almost a century. The Texas Tribune has reported that the camp was especially appealing to the state's political a-listers.

Several of President Lyndon B. Johnson’s descendants have been to the camp. Those of Rep. August Pfluger (R-Texas) and Rep. Buddy Carter (R-Ga.) were also at the camp during the flooding, but their families have since affirmed their safety. However, Carter's granddaughter’s cousin, Janie, has tragically died.

Everything we know about the Central Texas floods as Jenna Bush Hager mourns the dozens of lives lost:

Jenna Bush Hager, now a mom of three herself, revealed on the NBC show that the stories she has been hearing from Texas have been “beautiful and heartbreaking.”

“Texas has a type of resilience,” Jenna Bush Hager noted. “They're generous people, where people want to reach out and help."

She also revealed that her husband recently questioned her decision to send their daughters to the camp in the sweltering heat:

"Texas camps are really special because you're thinking about 90 degree weather, no air conditioning," she said. "My kids are at camp in Texas, and my husband said, 'Why are we sending our kids to Texas, to camp? It's hot!' And it's because of the love that's there."

Jenna Bush Hager shares two daughters, Mila, 12, and Poppy, 9. She also has a son, Hal, who is five years old. None of her children were present at the camp when the floods ravaged the site.

Today has reported that Camp Mystic is based in Hunt in Kerr County. About 750 children were present on-site when the floods hit home, which were caused by a rise in the Guadalupe River due to the torrential rains in the area.

President Bush has since issued a statement on Facebook that reads as follows:

"On this day of prayer, Laura and I are holding up our fellow Texans who are hurting. We are heartbroken by the loss of life and the agony so many are feeling. Those who have lost their precious children are facing a grief no parents should ever know. We are grateful to the first responders and volunteers who are working to find the missing and comfort the grieving at Camp Mystic and along the Guadalupe. We know our words cannot help, but we believe the prayers of so many Americans will."

The camp has also issued a statement on their website as they "grieve the loss" of the campers and counselors.

"Our hearts are broken alongside our families that are enduring this unimaginable tragedy," the camp said "We are praying for them constantly." They are in "communication with local and state authorities" as they look for the missing children. The camp is "grateful for the outpouring of support from community, first responders, and officials at every level." The camp also asked "continued prayers, respect and privacy" for all of the afflicted.

In Kerr County alone, where several other summer camps are also located, 59 deaths have been reported. This includes 38 adults and the rest, children. As of yesterday afternoon, a total of 70 deaths were recorded in central Texas.

Dick Eastland, a longtime director of Camp Mystic, was among those who died as he tried to rescue campers from the ravenous waters, The Irish Star has reported, citing his grandson's social media post from yesterday, July 6.

Jenna Bush Hager also acknowledged the Eastland family's loss in her interview with Today, referring to the brood as "Texas royalty."

"They raised so many girls, and his son, who has passed as well, went to Texas, where I went — the University of Texas — but so many of my friends said he was their summer father," Jenna Bush Hager said. "He looked out for his campers. He raised girls to be brave and loving, and his legacy will live on."

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Today has reported that President Donald Trump has signed a major disaster declaration for Kerr County. His move comes as the water from the Guadalupe River rose to 30 feet, leaving mounds of destruction and a high death toll in its wake. Dozens of individuals currently remain missing, and as of this writing, 82 have been found dead.

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