According to research, about 95 percent of Americans live in a county that has received federal disaster aid since 2011.

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

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

Governor Andy Beshear says President Donald Trump has approved federal assistance to communities in Kentucky impacted by recent flooding.

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 weighed in on FEMA's role during natural disasters as his state deals with flooding that has claimed the lives of several people. CBS News' Karen Hua reports, and meteorologist Jessica Burch has the latest weather forecast.

Governor Andy Beshear announced on social media Monday afternoon that individual assistance has been approved for the first 10 Kentucky counties affected by flooding:ORIGINAL: 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 floodingWATCH LIVE: Beshear gives update on state’s response to flooding More: by WKYT on Monday,

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

Kentucky has been given the green light for an Expedited Major Disaster Declaration from the federal government.  That means public assistance from FEMA will be available for local governments and individuals in 10 counties impacted by flooding.