SAG-AFTRA and the Writers Guild of America have issued alerts telling striking actors and writers to stay home Monday, as Hurricane Hilary approaches Southern California.
“Soaking in the L.A. sunshine and solidarity as we fight for a fair contract!! We’re taking a rain day in L.A. Monday, so we’ll see you Tuesday!” read a message posted on SAG-AFTRA’s Twitter/X account Friday night.
? Soaking in the L.A. sunshine and solidarity as we fight for a fair contract!! We're taking a rain day in L.A. Monday, so we'll see you Tuesday! WE ARE #SagAftraStrong #SagAftraFuerte ?? pic.twitter.com/U9Xt7YLsQM
— SAG-AFTRA (@sagaftra) August 19, 2023
The news came as the National Weather Service (NWS) upgraded the region’s first-ever tropical storm watch to a warning.
A tropical storm warning means “tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area within 36 hours,” according to the NWS.
The warning extends from the U-S/Mexico border to Point Mugu in California and Catalina Island, the NWS said.
Related Story: LA Residents Warned of Possible Power & Service Outages as Hurricane Hilary Closes In
Hilary has strengthened to Category 4 status in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Baja California in Mexico. The storm is on track to reach the Baja California peninsula on Sunday and Southern California by Sunday night. Hilary will likely weaken to a tropical storm by late Sunday, the NWS said.
No tropical storm has made landfall in California since 1939, forecasters said.
Residents across Southern California and parts of Nevada are being urged to prepare for the storm and hunker down.
The WGA said its picket lines would resume Tuesday across the region.
Friday marked day 109 of the writers’ strike. Although there has been recent movement with negotiators from the WGA and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) — which represents studios and streamers — returning to the bargaining table this week.
In an Aug. 18 update on its website, the WGA said more talks are planned for next week.
“The AMPTP offered responses to our proposals in all work areas. We met this week and continued to exchange proposals. We will continue to meet next week,” the union said.
