I think that the estimated winds for the Galveston Hurricane were only about 120 mph, versus 190 for Camille.

From what I remember, it was the storm surge / flooding / fires (many buildings made of wood) that killed most in Galveston; that and the bridge off island went before anybody thought it would be a bad storm.

Things were different then. For example, the highest point on the island was less than 9 feet above sea level. The storm surge was almost 16 feet.

Camille's Eye went right over my school.

Brother Allen(I think) told me the anemometer blew off the roof at 210.