President Donald Trump has repeatedly teased eliminating the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Now, after severe storms, Kentucky officials hope he will approve FEMA aid for citizens with flooded homes.

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, a Democrat, has been a fierce defender of the beleaguered agency that the president wants to eliminate.

Eight people are dead following one of the most severe weather events “in the past decade,” Governor Andy Beshear said during a press conference Sunday afternoon.

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said Sunday that hundreds of people stranded by flooding had to be rescued. President Donald Trump approved the state's request for a disaster declaration, authorizing the Federal Emergency Management Agency to coordinate relief efforts throughout the state.

People are hurting, it’s been [several] days, and they really need the help," Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear. FRANKFORT, Ky. — President Donald Trump’s administration has yet to sign a disaster declaration that would allow FEMA to provide individual assistance for those impacted in Kentucky’s recent bouts of devastating severe weather.

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said he's still waiting on the Trump administration to approve individual assistance through FEMA for flood victims.

Inside the Emergency Operations Center in Frankfort, officials are on high alert. Governor Andy Beshear announced that resources from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) have arrived to help bolster efforts during this critical time.

The governor said state officials are still waiting for approval of an expedited major disaster declaration, which would grant individual assistance.

The White House has already approved a request for an emergency disaster declaration, allowing federal funding to go to areas impacted by the floods. But if signed, the expedited declaration would allow qualifying individuals to receive up to $43,600 in individual assistance from FEMA.

Governor Andy Beshear provides updates on Kentucky's flood recovery efforts, urging federal aid as the state faces mounting costs.

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, a Democrat, has been a fierce defender of the beleaguered agency that the president wants to eliminate.

Governor Andy Beshear held another press conference on Monday morning to give an update on the state’s response to the flooding: Beshear gives update on state’s response to flooding WATCH LIVE: Beshear gives update on state’s response to flooding More: Posted by WKYT on Monday,