Joplin was a tragedy, but what about other towns that are giong through the same thing?

I know Joplin was a tragedy. My question is...what about all the little towns that are going through the same thing? Are they any less important just because they are smaller? My hometown was almost completely wiped out by a tornado recently and apart from local stations, you rarely hear about it. Is it fair that small towns that were nearly wiped out by tornadoes are being overshadowed by Joplin?