WASHINGTON (AP) - More than 270,000 individuals and families sought federal aid from the Federal Emergency Management Agency during this record year of hurricanes, the agency reported Thursday. FEMA's director, James Lee Witt, said 1999 was "an extraordinarily busy year" as his agency handled relief programs involving five major hurricanes, a rash of wildfires, 14 major tornadoes, summer floods and Y2K-related preparedness. According to FEMA, President Clinton declared 55 disasters, making victims eligible for federal aid in 37 states and the U.S. Virgin Islands during the year.