What average wind speed characterizes a hurricane?

A hurricane is defined by its sustained wind speeds, which are categorized based on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. The correct range for winds that characterize a hurricane is between 75 and 175 miles per hour. This range is indicative of a hurricane's ability to cause significant damage upon landfall, including structural damage, uprooting trees, and causing widespread power outages.

The classification helps emergency management and response teams gauge the potential impact and necessary preparedness actions based on wind speed. The options that fall outside of this range, such as categories that start at lower wind speeds or suggest excessively high wind speeds, do not align with the established characteristics of hurricanes. Thus, the range from 75 to 175 mph is critical in understanding the strength and implications of a hurricane.