Storm Charles puts Web Summit's final days in doubt

Web Summit has drawn a record crowd to Lisbon this week. Now it has drawn a storm too.

Portugal's government has declared a state of alert for the whole mainland from midnight tonight to 11:59pm on Wednesday, as Storm Charles moves in behind Storm Bruna, which has already been battering the country. The weather service, IPMA, has issued a red warning, its highest, for strong winds in Lisbon from midday to 9pm on Wednesday, with gusts of up to 120 km/h and possibly 140 km/h in the most exposed places. Forecasters warn that gusts could go above 150 km/h if a "sting jet" forms, a narrow band of extreme wind that can develop in intense storms.

Every school in the country, at every level, will close on Wednesday, along with non-essential public services. Interior Minister Luís Neves has asked people to stay at home and asked employers to let staff work remotely. Civil protection is at Level 4, its maximum. Its national commander warned that power and phone networks could go down and told people to keep their phones and power banks charged.

In Lisbon, Mayor Carlos Moedas is closing the city's tunnels, parks, gardens and cultural sites from midnight, including São Jorge Castle and the Monument to the Discoveries, and traffic along the riverside will be restricted. The city's civil protection team logged 304 weather incidents overnight. "We must act prudently," Moedas said. He also said Web Summit could be cancelled, but that the decision belongs to the Interior Ministry.

For now, Web Summit is going ahead. Organisers said they are "aware of the weather warnings for Wednesday afternoon and evening" and are assessing the situation with civil protection and the police. They said they will share updates "as soon as confirmed information becomes available." Nothing has been cancelled.

It's tough timing for the founders who spent months preparing for three days at the FIL and MEO Arena. Wednesday is the middle day, and many startups have only one day at their stand. A lost afternoon could mean a lost chance with the investor they flew in to meet.

If you're at Web Summit: watch the official app and emails for updates, keep your phone charged, stay away from the riverfront in strong winds, and plan your route back before the worst of it arrives in the afternoon.

Future Feed is on the ground in Lisbon and will update this story.