Camera Action cops worst of Melbourne storm

Melbourne’s celebrated Elizabeth Street photo retailing precinct (known locally as 'Blood Alley') came within centimetres of being submerged during last Saturday’s record-breaking deluge.

Most camera stores along the strip were exposed to a torrent of water that washed over gutters and, in some cases, lapped the entrances to millions of dollars worth of photographic equipment and supplies.

Michaels is understood to have suffered some damage as a result of the storm while Myer evacuated some staff around 3.10pm on Saturday.

Not so lucky were Sina and Paul Clayton, owners of Camera Action Camera House, whose main administration offices in Somerset Place (just behind Camera Action) were severely damaged by water from the downpour.

Sina Clayton, managing director of Camera Action Camera House, told PIN Online that a “flood of water” went through the ceiling damaging computers, phones, alarms and the surveillance system.

The new fine art printing centre and studio and training classes work space above the admin area were also flooded and were subsequently declared too dangerous to occupy.

Sina said she was grateful that the company’s two main stores escaped damage.

“We has just arrived back from PMA in the US on the previous Wednesday and  we were just starting to get back into things,” she said.

“We will start assessing the damage but all the carpets will have to come up and we’ll have to find some emergency seating for  admin crew and ourselves,” she said.

Sina said she was particularly disappointed to find water had found its way onto a large Canon printer that had been installed using a crane. 

“When we came in there was water all over it and sparks were flying from the light fittings,” she said.

Sina said the company was insured and all the important files were backed up at the stores.

“The landlord has been fantastic and with plumbers and builders on site, we’ll just have to roll our sleeves up for the next few weeks,” she said.
 
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