Port Macquarie-Hastings has been officially declared a natural disaster area with damage estimated at millions of dollars.

NSW Governor Marie Bashir will tour the region tomorrow with Mayor Peter Besseling and inspect sites west of Wauchope hit hardest by flood damage.

They also will meet with State Emergency Service and Rural Fire Service volunteers, council staff and community representatives.

Mr Besseling also welcomed the NSW Premier’s natural disaster area declaration and said the council’s highest priority will be applying for Natural Disaster Relief Assistance so flood damages can be addressed as soon as possible.

“Extensive flood damage has been recorded affecting thousands of residents across the LGA and impacting significantly on local road and bridge infrastructure,” Cr Besseling said.

“Along with the emotional impact an event like this can have on a community, there are also enormous financial costs. There has been significant damage to our roads and bridges, particularly in our outlying village areas which have been Council’s highest priority in the clean-up.”

Assessment of damages continues this week and the council will submit an application for relief assistance as soon as possible.