Yagia Gentle was born in Sydney, Australia, and later made the Nimbin–Lismore–Byron Bay region his home after years of travelling. With a background in building, counselling, and community welfare, he developed a deep connection to the people and stories of his community.

In the aftermath of the region’s devastating floods, Yagia encountered extraordinary accounts of resilience and recovery. Compelled to document these experiences, he began writing regular articles for the local newspaper. These collected stories eventually formed the foundation of this book.

Although many aspects of the disaster, such as septic floodwaters, widespread landslides, and the scarcity of daily resources, could not all be captured, Yagia hopes that his work offers readers a deeper appreciation of what truly unfolds in the wake of a natural disaster.