Kl( 718 WEST 5th ST. AUSTIN, TEXAS 78701 4'77'6'7', Times Wichita Falls, Texas MAY 2O for Wichita County Clements seeks disaster By Harte-Hanks Bureau AUSTIN — Gov. Bill Clements to- day formally asked President Reagan to issue a presidential declaration naming Wichita County as a disaster area because of the severe flooding of diMay 12-17. If approved by the president, such a declaration would open the way for federal assistance to individual flood damaged by the floodwaters, and only about 6 percent were covered by in- surance, according to documents sent to the governor. Jack Lawler, information officer for the governor's emergency man- agement office, said an emergency declaration by the president would mean a team of state and federal officials would move into Wichita Falls quickly to help flood victims. • victims. The aid would include Small Busi- ness Administration low-interest loans, grants of up to $5,000 for qual- ifying individuals and help on income tax and insurance claims. Clements said his request was based on a report from a survey team that assessed floxi damage in the county earlier ths week. He said Wichita Falls Maw Gary Cook asked for the declaration. The survey team from the gover- nor's office made an on-site inspec- tion and visited with city and county officials. A letter from Cook and County Judge Tom Bacus was sent to the governor Monday formally request- ing the survey team and information on seeking assistance. More than 2,000 homes were He said they would seek office space that would make them avail- able to persons needing assistance. The SBA loans would be long-term and low-interest and would be avail- able to qualifying home and business owners, he said. Persons who don't qualify for loans or other assistance may apply for individual and family grants, Lawler said. These grants would be for a maximum of $5,000. While they often are used to help low-income persons or families, they also may be made to others who meet certain qualifications, he said. State and federal survey teams es- timated last week's flood caused ab- out $22 million in damage to resi- dences and businesses in Wichita Falls, City Manager Stuart Bach said Wednesday.