MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica. — There are emergency command centers across the island of Jamaica where leaders will continue meeting as Hurricane Melissa approaches and while it’s making impact.

Local 10 News’ Aaron Maybin caught up with Jamaica’s Deputy Prime Minister Horace Chang before entering an emergency operation center in Montego Bay.

“The government has mobilized all of its resources that have been designed for emergency operations,” Chang said.

He was asked if he thinks Jamaica is ready for Hurricane Melissa.

“If the projections are correct, nobody can be ready for this type of activity,” Chang said.

Crews are cutting trees before the Hurricane’s most dangerous winds move in Monday night and Tuesday morning.

Fishing communities have brought boats onto land.

In Kingston, workers are stacking sandbags preparing for record rainfall.

Jamaican leaders are most concerned for low-lying flood prone areas.

Simon Watson is part of team responsible for clearing debris from drains and trouble spots.

“At this moment, we are free of flood,” he said. “Five days of rain. It’s not good.”

Hurricane Melissa has already caused chaos across the Caribbean.

The storm caused deadly floods and landslides in Haiti and the Dominican Republic.

Leaders in Jamaica are telling people to heed warnings.

“First is protection of life,” said Chang. “There are individuals on the coast line who are at risk.”

Chang also said with a hurricane like this, you can never be fully prepared.

More than 650 shelters are open in Jamaica.

At least one evacuation has been ordered in a southern parish.

Power outages are expected, and officials have said getting power on at hospitals will be the top priority.

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