Heavy rain that blanketed parts of the state Sunday kept Hackensack first responders busy for hours as flash flooding caused water damage and prompted multiple water rescues.

Fire Capt. Kurt Nemeczek said the fire department spent about five hours responding to calls in the north end of the city because of the rain and flooding.

“Numerous residents and motorists were assisted in the area of Min Street, Johnson Avenue and Kinderkamack Road,” he said.

Calls included evacuation assistance and responses to flooding in private homes and apartment buildings. Nemeczek said the department’s high-water vehicle is currently out of service, so firefighters received assistance from South Hackensack and Department of Public Works crews, who helped with barricades and traffic control.

After the rain stopped, crews checking the area of Main Street and South Lake Drive made one final rescue.

Firefighters heard scratching coming from a large trash container stuck in floodwaters. Inside, they found a family of raccoons that had weathered the storm. Firefighters placed a ladder in the container, allowing the raccoons to climb to safety.