PERRY COUNTY, Ky. (FOX 56) – As we enter into this next stage of recovery following last Thursday’s floods in eastern Kentucky, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear along with First Lady Britainy Beshear and Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman visited Kentuckians in Buckhorn Lake State Resort Park who were displaced by the floods.

“We just wanted to hopefully give people a smile,” Beshear said. “After eight days of hardship, a little food a little Bluegrass music here, Rocky even played, but the goal is just let people take a breath.”

Flood victims said seeing the damage to their home has been heartbreaking, but they are grateful for the support they have received.

“It breaks my heart to see people that needs help,” said Dusty Angel. “Our governor is trying his best to help all the people here in Kentucky and I appreciate that. It shows that the Kentucky people cares about the citizens that are here in Kentucky. They want to reach out and help when we really need it.”

For the First Lady, she used the visit to talk to people like Angel, and to hear their stories, it is a true blessing.

“I think it is hopeful and it reminds you how blessed we are to have this opportunity to meet these families who have been through so much yet have something to be joyful about,” Beshear said.

Ever since the start of the floods, there have been many who say that eastern Kentucky is the heart of Kentucky after all their contributions to the coal mining industry.

It is because of those contributions, people like Coleman said that being there for that community now is most important.

“Eastern Kentucky is a special place full of special people and we have to be mindful of the work that they did to build this county and to build the middle class, and to be there for them when they need us the most,” Coleman said.

So what is next in regards to the road towards recovery?

“Well first we got to stabilize everyone,” Beshear said. “We still have people living in congregate shelters, in gyms, we got people living in their cars. We have people in other counties because we had to house them there. We need to get everybody in places like this. In single rooms and motels and travel trailers. We already have 100 that are here and we are going to need more.”

The governor also mentioned FEMA assistance as part of the next steps.

Earlier Saturday, five more counties, Leslie, Magoffin, Martin, Owsley, and Whitley were granted immediate FEMA assistance.

Anyone who gets denied help from FEMA is encouraged to reach out to the governor’s office directly.