Web Summit cancels Day 2 as Storm Charles hits Lisbon

Web Summit will not open on Wednesday. The Government of Portugal has formally advised the organisers that Day 2 should not take place because of the risks posed by Storm Charles, and Web Summit has confirmed it will follow that direction.

In an email to attendees on Tuesday evening, Web Summit said the government cited tidal flooding, severe disruption to public transport and the impact of high winds on external structures. The decision followed discussions with the Portuguese government, the National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority (ANEPC) and the Public Security Police (PSP).

"The safety and security of our attendees, staff and contractors is always our absolute priority," the organisers said.

Web Summit aims to go ahead with Day 3 on Thursday, 12 November, as planned, once the storm has passed. It says it will keep working with the authorities, monitor conditions and share updates as soon as confirmed information is available, and that it will contact those affected directly.

For the startups booked to exhibit on Wednesday, the news is a blow: many have only one day at their stand. Watch your emails and the Web Summit app for what happens next.

Until then, the advice from Portugal's civil protection authority stands: stay indoors where you can, keep your phone charged and avoid the riverfront while the red wind warning is in force on Wednesday afternoon.

Future Feed is in Lisbon and will keep following the story.