Final answer:
The true statement regarding the destructive forces around a hurricane is that they are primarily related to the storm surge, which is exacerbated by the cubic relationship between wind speed and hurricane power, leading to significant flooding and damage.
Step-by-step explanation:
Regarding the idealized sustained wind speeds around a hurricane, the statement that is true is that B) The destructive forces are primarily related to storm surge. Among the most destructive elements of a hurricane are the high wind speeds and the associated storm surge, which is an abnormal rise in sea level accompanying a hurricane or other intense storm. The storm surge is caused by the winds of a hurricane pushing water toward the shore, which can lead to severe flooding, especially when combined with the normal tides. This, compounded with the cubic relationship between wind speed and the power of the hurricane, means that even a small increase in wind speed can lead to a significant increase in a hurricane's destructive potential.
While heavy rainfall can also cause significant damage, especially through flooding, the primary destructive force in terms of immediate physical impact and potential for widespread damage is typically the storm surge. Lightning and earthquakes are not directly related to the destructive forces of a hurricane. While lightning can occur in the storms that circle the hurricane's center, it is not considered a primary factor in the overall destructive power of a hurricane. Earthquakes are unrelated geological phenomena and are not caused by atmospheric conditions related to hurricanes.