By Roger Marsh
The National UFO ALERT Rating System has been updated for May 2014, with California, Florida, Texas, Pennsylvania, Ohio and Michigan moving to a UFO Alert 3 as the highest reporting states with 25 or more cases during the month of April 2014, filed with the Mutual UFO Network (MUFON).California was the leading high-reporting state in April with 80 cases, down from 103 March cases, 59 February cases, and 102 January cases. Those states in a UFO Alert 4 category with 13 or more reports include: New York, Missouri, Arizona, New Jersey, North Carolina, Washington, Nevada, Oregon, and Colorado.
All other states move to a UFO Alert 5 category with lower numbers of UFO activity. The Watch States - with 10 or more cases - are Georgia, Indiana, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Alabama, Tennessee and Illinois.
MUFON released April statistics May 1, where the total number of reported UFO sightings is listed by state. The UFO Examiner uses these statistics to rate states. The entire country was moved back to the lowest alert level - UFO Alert 5.
California takes the lead with 80 cases; Florida, 57; Texas, 37; Pennsylvania, 33; Ohio, 25; and Michigan, 25.
Those states with 13 or more reports, the next reporting tier level, are a UFO Alert 4 status: New York; 23; Missouri, 21; Arizona, 21; New Jersey, 19; North Carolina, 18; Washington, 17; Nevada, 16; Oregon, 15; and Colorado, 15.
Our Watch States this month are - with 10 reports or more: Georgia, 12; Indiana, 12; Massachusetts, 11; Minnesota, 11; Alabama, 10; Tennessee, 10; and Illinois, 10.
The sphere remains the most-reported UFO shape with 150 cases, up from 131 March cases, 91 February cases; and 240 January cases. Other shape reports include: Triangle, 83; Other, 65; Star-like, 65; Circle, 57; Disc, 56; Oval, 39; Unknown, 39; Cigar, 29; Boomerang, 28; Fireball, 24; N/A, 23; Cylinder, 15; Diamond, 12; Egg, 7; Chevron, 6; Teardrop, 6; Saturn-like, 6; Cone, 4; Flash, 4; Blimp, 3; Cross, 2; and Bullet/Missile, 1.
The object's distance from the witness includes: Less than 100 feet, 137 cases; 101 to 500 feet, 115 cases; 501 feet to one mile, 165 cases; over one mile, 184 cases; unknown, 219; and no value stated, 22.
In addition, there were "21 landings, hovering, or takeoffs reported and 1 entity observed."
The most interesting UFO reports do not necessarily come from high reporting states - but those states with higher numbers do account for some of the most interesting evidence to study. While UFO sightings seem to pop up randomly around the country, this list is meant to offer a small insight into where Americans are filing reports.