CORTEZ, Fla. ( WWSB ) - Nearly a year after Hurricane Milton, cities across the Suncoast are continuing restoration efforts, including the removal of boats.

The City of Venice reached a milestone today, with the removal of its last known derelict boat.

The 35-foot sailboat, Windswept, which was left in a resident’s backyard near Higel Basin, was removed Wednesday morning.

Cortez is also seeing progress. Residents say the area is starting to return to normal after being left with devastating damage to businesses and homes after Hurricane Milton in 2024.

“Cortez is back together. It’s not all the way back. We still have some stuff to do,” boat captain Kathe Fannon said.

“After the hurricanes, it was so bad out here, and the water was so murky that it took a long time for the water to

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