Nearly two weeks after a flood in Ellicott City gutted businesses, displaced residents and left two people dead, Howard County Executive Allan H. Kittleman tapped a familiar figure Friday to help formulate plans to rebuild the historic district.

Former state Sen. James Robey will head an advisory group that will review and discuss options for rebuilding the town. The group will include representatives from area organizations, businesses and neighborhoods.

“I can empathize with what folks are going through. It's why I was quick to say yes to Allan when he asked,” said Robey, who retired from the Senate last year and is also a former Howard County executive.

Robey said the July 30 flash flood, which inundated the town as more than 6 inches of rain fell, reflects a need for better infrastructure to manage stormwater.

Kittleman, too, has said the disaster warrants rethinking the town's stormwater plan, and vowed to rebuild the town in a way “that is not only respectful of the past but has an eye to our future needs.”

The advisory group was formed the same day Gov. Larry Hogan formally requested federal disaster aid from President Barack Obama.

Preliminary estimates put the flood damage at roughly $20 million, a number county officials said is expected to rise.

Even as officials begin to think about reconstruction, recovery work continues.

Residents and business owners will continue trips to Main Street this weekend to salvage belongings and clean up, and a handful of cars remain submerged in the Patapsco River, buried by sewage and debris.

The Howard County Council will consider legislation Wednesday to waive licensing and permitting fees as residents and businesses begin to repair structures. If approved, the waiver policy would be in effect for about three months, according to Councilman Jon Weinstein, who represents Ellicott City.

Weinstein said that by “tearing up the street,” the flood actually created an opportunity — albeit in tragic circumstances — to rethink how to manage stormwater in the old town.

He said officials need to incorporate flood control at a broader scale.

“Does it make sense to rebuild? This is a common question that's asked when there is a major flood,” Weinstein said. “It's just not relevant here. [Ellicott City] has withstood [flooding] all these years.”

Meanwhile, Kittleman said local organizations have raised more than half a million dollars toward recovery efforts.

The county plans to distribute funds to individuals through a committee that includes Weinstein as well as state Sen. Gail Bates and Del. Bob Flanagan.