Ready for UFOs? Study suggests Virginia best state for surviving alien invasion

NEW YORK — As UFO sightings surge and belief in extraterrestrial life reaches new heights, one might start to wonder if it’s just a matter of time before an alien invasion takes place. Luckily, if first contact with alien life turns out just like in “Independence Day,” a new survey has some tips on where to hide!

In an out-of-this-world analysis that comes on the heels of safety officials releasing the first-ever police handbook on UFOs, researchers with the website Rant Casino have put out a list of which U.S. states would fare best during an extraterrestrial invasion. The timing couldn’t be more relevant — searches for “what would happen if aliens came to Earth” have skyrocketed by an astounding 2,850% in recent months, while nearly two-thirds of Americans now believe in the existence of alien life. Even more striking, 34% of Americans now consider UFOs as proof of alien life, up significantly from 20% in 1996.

Should E.T. invade in the near future, fleeing to Virginia emerged as Americans’ best hope for survival, scoring an impressive 8.03 out of 10 on the alien survival index. The state’s robust military presence — the highest per capita force in the nation — combined with its natural defenses of 29 caves and 63% forest cover make it an ideal stronghold against otherworldly threats.

Close behind is Alabama, scoring 7.90 out of 10, with its network of 35 caves and the highest forest coverage (71%) among top-ranked states. The state’s relatively low UFO sighting rate of 2.76 per 10,000 people suggests it might fly under alien radar, while its considerable law enforcement presence — 267.35 per capita, nearly double that of Oregon’s 145.01 — positions it well for coordinated defense efforts.

Minnesota rounds out the top three with a score of 7.83, distinguished by its intellectual firepower of 5.07 scientists and 10.12 engineers per 1,000 residents. The state’s impressive ratio of 32.01 healthcare professionals per capita and 882 food and beverage manufacturers strengthens its survival prospects.

Interestingly, New York finished as the fifth-best state for surviving an alien invasion. That being said, it’s probably still a good idea to avoid the Empire State Building when the UFOs arrive, just saying.

On the flip side, Nevada’s position as the state least likely to survive (scoring just 5.31 out of 10) might raise eyebrows. Despite its association with Area 51, the state’s lack of natural cover, minimal water resources, and high UFO sighting rate of 5.41 per 10,000 residents make it particularly vulnerable.

Idaho follows as second-most vulnerable, with the nation’s lowest per capita healthcare workforce (22.95) and concerning UFO activity (6.95 sightings per 10,000 people).

“Gone are the days when it was regarded as part fringe, part-science fiction, and part conspiracy theory. UFOs are now being treated as a defense and national security issue, discussed in the United States Congress, and attracting attention from the Head of NASA,” says former U.K. Ministry of Defense UFO investigator Nick Pope.

“It’s difficult to tell whether we’re seeing a genuine spike in UFO sightings – and if so, what this means – or whether what’s happening is that a higher proportion of sightings is being reported, as a result of the current mainstream media coverage of this subject,” Pope continues.