Duke Energy works to get power restored by Sunday for residents in the dark after Hurricane Irma

Duke Energy officials have said they plan to have power restored by Sunday for the bulk of their customers after Hurricane Irma knocked out electricity for more than 1 million people.

With the self-imposed deadline looming, close to 112,000 people were still without power Sunday afternoon.

Duke Energy has changed their automated system so customers can reach a representative more quickly. By calling 1-800-228-8485, customers have an immediate option to speak to a customer care representative.

Many areas hit by the storm still aren’t accessible for repair trucks, so Duke Energy has been using a fleet of drones to examine the damage.

“There are some places across Central Florida that were very hard hit,” Duke Energy spokesman Lee Freedman said. “We’re looking to clear the lines as quickly and efficiently as we can.”

From the air, crews can determine what materials they will need before crews go in, which means repairs can be completed more quickly, Freedman said.

“We need to make sure (power lines) are property connected and ready to be re-energized, so we can restore power to the neighborhood,” he said.

Duke Energy customers, though, have been wondering why it has taken so long to get their power turned back on, and why they can never get through to a person on the company's customer service line.

"Every time there's a storm, I've tried to speak to somebody and can never get through," Altamonte Springs resident Michael Schulz said.

Trying to make the same call, Linda Donnelly said she has tried to contact Duke Energy several times.

On her most recent call, she sat listening to hold music for 30 minutes.

"I'm trying again and I'm on hold," she said. "(It's) frustrating and I'm going around trying to help people knock on their doors to see if they're all right."

Although Duke Energy officials believe the majority of customers will have power restored by the end of the weekend, the company admits that some of the areas hit harder by the storm will need additional work, and time.

Thunderstorms that hit Central Florida Thursday night caused additional problems for repair crews, which can’t work when there is lightning.

Read: Seminole County Irma damage includes flooding, possible sinkhole that swallowed van

Residents of the Kelly Park Hill South neighborhood had the same complaint with a twist: They didn't have power, but Duke Energy's automated system says they do.

"They kept telling us, 'You have power. You have power,'" resident Tina Hudson said. "I'm like, 'No we don't. The whole neighborhood is out.'"

Duke Energy told Channel 9 that the company was aware of the issue with its automated system.

While the outages were frustrating, Schulz said he understood that a lot of people were without power and he didn't blame the crews out in the field.

"Those guys are working hard," Schulz said. "It's not like they're not working. They can only be so many places at once."

Duke Energy announced Friday that it was suspending late payment charges, estimated bills and disconnections during the restoration efforts.

"We are all hands on deck with restoration and stopping these actions gives customers one less thing to worry about," Duke Energy Florida President Harry Sideris said. "It allows Duke Energy to focus on what's important -- getting the lights on and helping rebuild communities and lives."

Cox Media Group