Final answer:
The residents of Bergen County, New Jersey were more vulnerable to panicking after hearing The War of the Worlds broadcast due to an unexplained blackout, government officials' visits, and the broadcast of strange objects hovering over the county.
Step-by-step explanation:
The residents of Bergen County, New Jersey, were even more vulnerable to panicking after hearing the events broadcast in The War of the Worlds due to multiple reasons. Firstly, they had recently experienced an unexplained blackout the night before. This blackout, which was part of drills conducted by the Office of Civilian Defense to prepare for a potential invasion, created a sense of unease and heightened anxiety among the residents.
Secondly, they had been visited by several government officials, which may have led the residents to believe that there was a legitimate threat. Lastly, the broadcast of strange objects hovering over the county added to the already heightened state of fear and vulnerability.