Gov. Larry Hogan signed a letter Friday afternoon to request federal disaster aid from President Barack Obama nearly two weeks after a flash flood swept through old Ellicott City.Preliminary estimates put the damage by the flood at roughly $20 million, an early estimate that is expected to rise, county officials said.The move comes as the county transitions from emergency recovery to rebuilding and eyes how to rebuild an old town that is still "a long way" from recovery, said Howard County Executive Allan Kittleman.Main Street Friday showed major signs of recovery since the flood upturned sidewalks and gutted many small businesses. Crews filled sidewalks with asphalt, stabilized buildings and cleared more than 1,300 tons of debris.Kittleman named former county executive and state Sen. Jim Robey to lead a community advisory group to determine how to rebuild old Ellicott City. The committee will include representation from local organizations, businesses and residents.By executive order, Kittleman also created a committee that will distribute funds to those impacted by the flooding.The committee, which includes representation from state Sen. Gail Bates, Del. Bob Flanagan and Councilman Jon Weinstein, will gather applications and distribute funds.More than half a million dollars has been raised by local organizations in a show of "overwhelming support," Kittleman said on Friday.Robey said he was shocked to see the damage, which he said was significantly worse than Hurricane Agnes in 1972, which pummeled local businesses.The Howard County Council will also consider legislation on Wednesday to waive licensing and permitting fees as residents and businesses repair structures after the flood.The waiver would be in effect for roughly three months, Weinstein said.