Hudson Valley UFO Wave
Over 5,000 people reported seeing a massive boomerang-shaped craft with colored lights. Police switchboards were overwhelmed. The wave lasted four years. It remains one of history's largest UFO events.
The Hudson Valley UFO wave of 1982-1986 involved thousands of witnesses reporting a massive boomerang or V-shaped craft with multicolored lights. It’s one of the most documented UFO waves in history.
The Wave Begins
According to documented accounts, on New Year’s Eve 1982, the first major sighting occurred when a retired police officer saw a large object with colored lights. Within weeks, reports multiplied. By 1983, thousands had seen something. The wave continued until 1986.
Description
Witnesses consistently reported a massive boomerang or V-shaped craft with multiple bright lights in red, blue, green, and white. It was completely silent and moved very slowly, with some saying it hovered. Estimates of its enormous size ranged from 100 feet to over 300 feet. Witnesses noted it was a solid structure blocking out stars.
Notable Sightings
On the Taconic State Parkway on March 24, 1983, hundreds of motorists pulled over to watch the craft. Police received over 300 calls.
At Indian Point Nuclear Plant on July 24, 1984, the craft reportedly hovered over the nuclear facility. Security guards allegedly trained weapons on it.
At Cross County Shopping Center, the craft was seen over the mall by numerous shoppers.
Police Involvement
Local police received thousands of calls. Many officers personally witnessed the craft. Switchboards were overwhelmed during sightings. Officers had difficulty explaining what they saw.
The Investigation
Dr. J. Allen Hynek and Philip Imbrogno investigated, collecting over 5,000 witness reports. They documented patterns in the sightings and wrote the book “Night Siege.” They concluded the phenomenon was genuine.
The “Stormville Flyers” Explanation
Some suggested the lights were ultralight aircraft. A group of pilots flew in formation at night and carried colored lights. They admitted to some flights. However, witnesses insisted the craft was solid, not multiple aircraft.
Why the Explanation Fails
Witnesses disputed the ultralight theory. The object was solid, blocking stars. It was completely silent and could hover motionless. It was far larger than any formation could explain. Many sightings occurred when the pilots weren’t flying.
The Nuclear Connection
The Indian Point sighting was concerning. The craft allegedly hovered over the nuclear plant. Guards reported the incident. It was a potential security issue. The incident was not publicly acknowledged.
Legacy
The Hudson Valley wave demonstrated that mass sightings can occur, police and officials witness UFOs, simple explanations may not suffice, and geographic waves happen in UFO phenomena.