Jenna Bush Hager cries over deadly Texas flooding that ravaged Camp Mystic

Jenna Bush Hager broke down in tears over the deadly flooding that struck a Texas camp where several of her friends had sent their kids.

The journalist discussed her deep ties to Camp Mystic on Monday’s episode of the “Today” show after 27 young campers and counselors died in the catastrophe.

“My mom was a counselor there,” Bush Hager told co-host Craig Melvin of former first lady Laura Bush.

“But also so many of my friends were raised at this camp,” the Texas native added. “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.” 

Bush Hager, 43, became emotional while recalling how her mother was a drama counselor at the camp and that “many of [her] friends had their kids there” last week.

“Texas has a type of resilience,” she said. “They’re generous people, where people want to reach out and help. Texas camps are really special.”

Bush Hager said that she had heard “beautiful and heartbreaking” stories as the rescue efforts continue to unfold.

She also honored camp owner Richard “Dick” Eastland, who tragically died in the flood while attempting to save campers.

“That family, the Eastland family, is Texas royalty. They raised so many girls,” she explained. “So many of my friends said he was their summer father. He looked out for campers. He raised girls to be brave and loving. His legacy will live on.” 

The mom of three — who shares Mila, 12, Poppy, 9, and Hal, 5, with husband Henry Hager — noted that she had just dropped their kids off at another Texas camp.

Jenna expressed how difficult it is to send her children off to camp and say goodbye for the summer, but that kids go to camp “because of the love that’s there.”

“We send our kids into the world with the faith that they can [have] happy lives, joyful lives, and as adults, we know pain. We hope our kids never face it,” she said.

At least 82 people, including 28 children, died in the horrific floods. Eleven campers and one counselor are still missing, according to Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha, with dozens of other people still unaccounted for as of Monday.