Barry is an 11-year-old boy living with his family in the Lower Ninth Ward of New Orleans. He often views himself as fearful, especially when comparing himself to his unflappable father and the brave comic book heroes he draws. When his family decides to evacuate ahead of an approaching Category 5 hurricane, Barry faces an intimidating situation that tests his inner strength and requires him to protect the people he loves.

Roddy is Barry's father and a semi-famous jazz musician in New Orleans. Known for his calm demeanor in stressful situations, he frequently uses music to soothe himself and his family. He makes the highly unusual decision to evacuate his family ahead of the mandatory hurricane warnings, prioritizing their safety over staying in the only home they have ever known.

Cruz is a stray dog taken in by Abe Mackay. Abe claims the dog is trained to attack on command, giving Cruz a fearsome reputation among the neighborhood children. Beneath this intimidating presentation, Cruz is simply a vulnerable animal caught in the path of the impending storm.

Nell is a local New Orleans resident who steers a small yellow rubber raft through the flooded areas of the city. Wearing tall rubber boots, she acts as an independent volunteer rescuer in her community. She steps into the void left by official emergency agencies to pull stranded neighbors to safety.

Jay is Barry's best friend and creative partner. Together, they design a character for the Acclaim Comics contest. He provides steadfast encouragement to Barry, offering consistent support and confidence. As the storm approaches, Jay prepares to evacuate to Birmingham with his family, forcing the best friends to separate just before the hurricane makes landfall.

Akivo is a fictional superhero created by Barry and Jay for a comic book contest. Designed as a seven-foot-tall hero with hawk wings and titanium armor, he represents the idealized bravery that Barry wishes he possessed. He draws his power from a secret star called Beta Draconis.

Cleo is Barry's highly sensitive younger sister. She is deeply anxious about the approaching hurricane, fearing it will destroy her toys. Her sudden illness during the family's evacuation attempt forces the Tuckers to turn back and face the severe weather at their home in the Lower Ninth Ward.

Barry's mother is a deeply caring parent who previously worked at a local bakery and dreams of opening her own business. She attempts to mask her anxiety about the approaching storm by baking extensively. She prioritizes her family's safety and relies on Barry to help comfort his younger sister during stressful moments.

Abe is a neighbor and former friend of Barry and Jay. After his father left two years prior, Abe stopped attending school regularly and began associating with an older crowd. He acts as a local bully, using his dog Cruz to intimidate the other neighborhood children.

Dave is Roddy's friend and the owner of Lightning's, a local jazz club where Roddy plays the trumpet. Instead of evacuating, Dave chooses to keep his club open to serve as a community shelter, offering his generator and food supplies to anyone who might need a safe place to stay.