He does this about once a year and after some major storms.

A major storm would have changed the whole picture, he said.

"A major storm is going to go right over it anyway," he said.

This happens only during major storms and does not last for very long.

In 1862, a major storm brought down the incomplete tower.

"But you never know where the major storms are going to hit," he said.

There hasn't been a major storm through here in a month.

Today only a major storm carries much sand across the island, they say.

No major storms are expected in the remaining six weeks of the hurricane season.

Stay they did; but that was the first and the last of the major storms.