Chiefs Owner Clark Hunt Mourns Cousin Janie Amid Devastating Texas Floods
Time to be frank: Kansas City Chiefs owner Clark Hunt is facing a deeply personal loss after his 9-year-old cousin, Janie Hunt, was swept away in the catastrophic July 4 floods at Camp Mystic in Wimberley, Texas. This tragic event, confirmed by Camp Mystic and reported by NBC News, has claimed 27 campers and counselors and stands among the deadliest U.S. floods in a century, with 81 lives lost statewide as of July 7—including 75 in Kerr County.
The Hunt family’s grief became public when Tavia Hunt, Clark’s wife, shared an Instagram statement on July 6: “Our hearts are broken by the devastation from the floods in Wimberley and the tragic loss of so many lives, including a precious little Hunt cousin.” She went on to wrestle with faith, questioning how to reconcile a benevolent deity with such unfathomable suffering—a sentiment echoed in numerous biblical laments, Tavia noted, as she honored both her niece and other children lost that day.
Camp Mystic, a Christian girls’ camp hosting 750 young attendees at the time of the flash floods on the Guadalupe River, posted its own statement on July 7, mourning “the catastrophic flooding” and grieving alongside affected families. The camp vowed to deploy extensive resources to locate the 11 campers and one counselor still unaccounted for, while thanking first responders and community members for their ongoing support.
On Today’s July 7 broadcast, Jenna Bush Hager revealed her deep ties to Camp Mystic—her late mother, Barbara Bush, once served as a counselor there, and many of Jenna’s childhood friends have fond memories of the camp. “So many stories I’ve heard these past days are incredibly moving and heartbreaking,” Jenna shared, underlining the camp’s decades-long legacy of faith-based fellowship and the emotional toll on its alumni network.
As the Hunt family grapples with this devastating blow, broader questions loom over flood preparedness and safety protocols at summer camps nationwide. Local officials have launched investigations into river monitoring and emergency response procedures, seeking lessons from this tragedy to prevent future loss. Meanwhile, the Chiefs community and heartfelt supporters across social media have rallied behind Clark and Tavia Hunt, sending prayers and charitable donations to relief efforts in Wimberley.
And that’s the gist. We’ll be watching how the Hunt family honors Janie’s memory and how Camp Mystic rebuilds their safe haven for future generations.
Sources: Celebrity Storm and E! News, NBC News, Today Show
Attribution: Creative Commons Licensed
