The warnings came too late—by the time the Guadalupe River began its furious rise, the cabins at Camp Mystic were already submerged, and the desperate cries of children were swallowed by the storm’s roar.
As the flood’s death toll climbs and grief sweeps across Texas, one name echoes painfully: Janie Hunt. Just 9 years old and part of one of football’s most prominent families, her loss has struck a chord far beyond the floodwaters.
Texans now ask: was this an unavoidable tragedy of nature—or did a critical failure in warning and response cost precious lives?
NFL Family Mourns After Devastating Texas Flood
Tavia Hunt, wife of Kansas City Chiefs owner Clark Hunt, confirmed the heartbreaking death of a beloved family member amid the catastrophic floods that have claimed at least 82 lives, including 28 children.
“Our hearts are shattered,” Tavia shared in an emotional post on Instagram, revealing that their young cousin, Janie Hunt, was among those lost in the disaster at Camp Mystic—a cherished Christian all-girls summer camp beside the Guadalupe River near Wimberley, Texas.
She wrote,
“Our hearts break for Wimberley and the countless lives torn apart—including our precious little cousin Janie and the daughters of many friends.”
Tavia’s words also wrestled with faith amidst sorrow:
“How do we reconcile belief in a good, all-knowing God with such unbearable loss, especially of children? It’s a sacred, painful question — one that Scripture itself confronts.”
Janie, remembered by family as a radiant and joyful child, was the great-granddaughter of oil magnate William Herbert Hunt, whose brother Lamar Hunt founded the Kansas City Chiefs.
The Night the River Devoured Camp Mystic
The tragedy struck in the early hours of Friday when the Guadalupe River surged more than 30 feet above its usual level, inundating Camp Mystic as more than 750 campers slept. Officials revealed that the youngest campers, housed closest to the riverbank, bore the brunt of the flooding, with many still unaccounted for.
Among those who perished was camp director Richard “Dick” Eastland, 70, who died heroically while trying to rescue campers from the rising floodwaters. Just days before, the camp had shared cheerful videos of campers singing and dancing, a haunting contrast to the devastation that followed.
Texas Unites in Grief and Resolve
Governor Greg Abbott declared a statewide day of prayer, calling for unity and promising a full investigation into the disaster.
“We mourn those lost, pray for those missing, and honor the bravery of our first responders,” he said.
Rescue teams have pulled over 850 survivors from the flood zone, including some clinging to trees for days. Search efforts continue, aided by eight helicopters and an MQ-9 Reaper drone scanning for signs of life.
Failures in Warning and Preparedness Under Scrutiny
Questions swirl about why warnings came too late for so many. While a flood watch was issued on Thursday and a flash flood warning early Friday morning, local officials say the alerts never reached those most at risk in time to save lives.
Meteorologist Matt Lanza told the Texas Tribune,
“This was not a failure to predict the flood—it was a failure in communication. The warnings simply didn’t get to the people who needed them most.”
Federal disaster readiness is also under intense scrutiny. The regional Weather Service office was reportedly underfunded and understaffed, with the key position of warning coordination meteorologist vacant since April.
Pressed on whether budget cuts hampered disaster response, former President Donald Trump initially blamed the previous administration before walking back his statement, calling it a “100-year catastrophe” beyond any one leader’s fault.
Internal state documents leaked to the Daily Mail suggest the death toll may ultimately surpass 100.
A Family and a State Left Searching for Answers
As Texas struggles to recover from one of the deadliest floods in recent memory, families like the Hunts are left grappling with profound loss and wrenching questions. A bright, hopeful child has been lost to unforgiving waters, and while rescue teams press on and officials probe what went wrong, the grief remains raw and the answers remain elusive.
In the aftermath, faith and memory become lifelines. And amid the sorrow, a solemn hope endures—that through this tragedy, lessons will be learned, systems improved, and lives protected in the future.