Cyclone Ilsa intensifies to category 4 as Western Australia prepares for impact

Port Hedland mayor Peter Carter warns loose objects have the potential to become ‘missiles in the air’ during ‘unpredictable’ cyclones

• Follow our Australia news live blog for the latest updates
• Get our morning and afternoon news emails, free app or daily news podcast

Pilbara residents are on edge as Tropical Cyclone Ilsa, now a category 4 system, bears down on the Western Australian coast.

The Bureau of Meteorology upgraded the cyclone to a category 4 system on Thursday morning, with gusts near the centre up to 230km/hr as it tracks toward the coast 290km north of Port Hedland.

Sign up for Guardian Australia’s free morning and afternoon email newsletters for your daily news roundup