The tornado in Purvis was one of at least 14 tornadoes that tore through Mississippi on Wednesday, prompting three tornado emergencies and destroying parts of multiple communities.
ByEmilee Speck, AccuWeather staff writer
Published May 7, 2026 11:34 AM CDT|Updated May 7, 2026 12:44 PM CDT
A damaging tornado hit Purvis, Mississippi, impacting Coaltown Baptist Church and nearby homes on May 6.
Members of aMississippichurch prayed and sang together as they sheltered from a tornado Wednesday night that tore apart the church and destroyed nearby homes.
Video from Storm Chaser Brian Emfinger showed the aftermath of the tornado inPurvis, Mississippi, where Coaltown Baptist Church was heavily damaged.
Pastor Jimmy Breazeale said church members were finishing a meal when tornado sirens sounded. Everyone gathered in a back hallway behind the sanctuary to take shelter and began to pray.
“They were actually singing ‘Amazing Grace,’” Breazeale said.
Damage to Coaltown Baptist Church in Purvis, Mississippi, as seen from above, on May 7, 2026. (Image credit: Brian Emfinger/Corclips)
The pastor said members began singing to comfort each other during the most intense moments of the storm.
Source: Drudge Report
