My flight from Hurricane Gustav

Hurricane Gustav is moving inland from the US Gulf coast after the worst of the storm missed New Orleans - the city ravaged by Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin advised the two million people who had fled inland ahead of Gustav's arrival to stay away from the city for at least another day.

William Ascencio, 26, a cook from Gretna, Louisiana left the city as the storm approached.

He is providing regular instalments of his flight to Florida.

6am - Destin, Florida - Tuesday, 2 September

To be honest we were happy from the moment we got off the highway on Monday morning.

It took us many hours to get here - but it was a better journey than the one we did three years ago when Katrina hit. Roads seemed to be less busy this time and there were fewer problems. Maybe it was better organised.

We've heard very little about our town Gretna, Louisiana. From the news I hear that power lines are out and there is minor damage to some buildings.

We hope to head home on Wednesday. At the back of my head is my concern for my house. We got off more lightly than many when Katrina struck - but we still lost windows and the roof that time.

6am - Destin, Florida - Monday, 1 September

We're here. It took us 12 hours in total. We managed to get to the west of Florida, close to the border with Alabama.

I stopped listening to the news because I noticed discrepancies between the radio and the news people who were contradicting each other.

We came off Highway 10 and the roads were clear. The tunnels in Mobile were open and there was no problem and we came all the way to Destin, Florida - it's just a regular day.

The reports are alarmist - we had no problems and my uncle and his family even beat us here by 45 minutes.

They got on to Highway 10 by taking a road parallel to Highway 59 and heading south.

We have an apartment to stay in and it's the cherry on top of the icing.

I've got my mum, my sister, my family - I'm happy. I'm relieved that I'm here.

Midnight - Alabama - Monday, 1 September

We've now been on the road for 13 hours and 50 minutes. We're already in Alabama and we've made a lot of headway since I last spoke to you.

We were stuck on Highway 94 for six hours because all the exits were closed and so we had to head north instead of east.

A forty-minute drive took us six hours. We carried on for another six hours before I convinced my sister Maria that we should take the back roads.

I said 'if we carrying on driving this route we'll end up in New York'. Unfortunately, my uncle, aunt and cousin decided to keep on their route and they are not even half way here.

Where we are there's no traffic and I've been going at around 45mph and I'm almost at Mobile, Alabama.

I expect to get stuck in traffic when I get there because I'll be back on a main road.

I've never been here before and it's pretty cool - the roads are empty and there's nice scenery.

I've had coffee at the gas station and I've bought some cigarettes so I'm feeling fine.

We should have a place rented when we get to our destination but who knows what will happen.

10am - stuck in traffic in Louisiana - Sunday, 31 August

We left at 4am in three cars, I'm travelling with my sister, Marie. We thought we were leaving early and would avoid the worst of the traffic leaving the area.

A contra flow on Highway 10 eases some congestion

We are currently heading towards the west of Florida and should have arrived about two hours ago, but we're stuck. We've been stuck for over six hours now.

Traffic has been diverted forcing everyone onto the same roads and now no-one is moving.

I knew the traffic would be bad, but I wasn't expecting this.

It's hard to know if the traffic will be any better further up the road. I somehow doubt it.

I have given up listening to the news and traffic reports and have decided to put on a CD instead.

We have some water in the car and are just trying to relax and not worry about things.

We're still hoping to get to Florida but we just don't know when.

I've heard that all the hotels there are already fully booked, but to be honest I will be happy sleeping on the beach as long as we are a safe distance from the hurricane's path.

3am in Gretna, Louisiana - Sunday, 31 August

It is like a dream that is repeating itself after three years, only this time it is more intense.

Most of the people I know from school and work have now all gone.

I was standing outside my house a little earlier and happened to run into my neighbour in the front yard smoking a cigarette.

The main aim is to get to Florida, but we'll just have to see

He said to me he hoped the westbank wouldn't flood. I said to him we would have to see what happens.

He wished me good luck after saying he was probably going to leave Sunday night.

I live with my mother and father, and my 18-year-old sister, Maria. We are going to head east, but really it's going to be a guessing game.

The streets are already jammed so we'll have to try and go through back roads, but I think a lot of routes have been closed.

The main aim is to get to Florida, but we'll just have to see.

There won't be any hotels on the route and it's going to take a long time to even get out of the city.

Gas stations are already running out, and the one close to my house has hiked its prices.

It was around $3.80 when I last checked but that's probably going up.

My mum and sister are feeling nervous. I'm anxious, because of the uncertainty.

I was here during Katrina and that was unprecedented. I had been used to hurricanes before but nothing on that scale.